The two-time former bantamweight champion is regarded as one of the best to ever step foot inside the Octagon, recovering from a series of potentially career-ending injuries to reclaim his place at the summit of the sport.
The 31-year-old was beaten for only the second time in his career last time out, losing to Cody “No Love” Garbrandt in a Fight of the Night five-rounder at UFC 207 in December.
But during his appearance on veteran UFC caller Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Dominator revealed his preparation for the bout had been less than ideal.
Having already battled back from three serious knee ligament injuries, a torn quadricep and a broken rib, Cruz began suffering with plantar fascia tendinitis – a painful condition, affecting the muscle running along the sole of the foot, which is difficult to treat.
“For the Cody fight, it [plantar fascia tendinitis] multiplied by two in both feet, it’s been out of control,” he explained.
“No excuses, I want to go ahead and make this clear.
“[Before fighting Garbrandt] I shot botox into the bottom of my feet. It was an off-the-wall method because there’s no cure for plantar fascia tendinitis.
“I heard from other doctors it’s an underground method, I was just willing to do anything. I was in so much pain.
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“I would wake up in the morning and have to go on my hands and knees to the bathtub so I wouldn’t put weight on my feet, I’m not kidding, during fight camp.
“I wouldn’t put weight on my feet because they were too cold so it’s like needles stabbing you.
“That was for all three of the fights this year, I’ve had to deal with that.”
Incredibly, Cruz overcame the debilitating condition in two previous title fights against Uriah Faber and TJ Dillashaw.
Cruz and Rogan will buddy up once again this coming weekend at UFC 209 – this time in the commentary booth.