Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz hosted Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg on his Love & War podcast, delivering a blunt assessment of the streamer’s combat sports attempts. The episode, released February 9, 2026, featured Cruz dismantling Steiny’s perception of his recent sparring sessions. The conversation centered on Steiny’s interactions with UFC champion Ilia Topuria and bantamweight Cody Garbrandt, with Cruz labeling the influencer an “easy fight” for professionals seeking viral fame.
“You’re An Easy Fight” – Former UFC Champ Humbles Steiny Dominick Cruz
Steiny opened the discussion by recounting a sparring session with Topuria. He admitted that while he posted the best clips for social media, the reality was physically punishing. Steiny described having a mouth “full of blood” and being unable to eat the next day due to severe jaw pain.
He revealed that the pain was so intense he briefly considered calling his lawyer, asking himself, “Yo, this guy broke my jaw”. Despite the damage, Steiny claimed he entered the ring “trying to get the dub,” a statement that caused Cruz to openly question his grasp on reality. Cruz laughed at the notion, asking incredulously, “You really thought you were going to beat Topuria?”.
The critique sharpened when the topic shifted to former champion Cody Garbrandt. Steiny expressed fear that Garbrandt held a personal grudge and would “kill” him in a fight due to previous friction with the Nelk Boys. Cruz corrected this assumption, explaining that professional fighters view influencers like Steiny through a pragmatic lens. “He knows who to beat up to get up the ladder the fastest and you’re definitely an easy fight,” Cruz stated. According to Cruz, fighters recognize that a quick knockout of a recognizable streamer offers high viral potential with zero competitive risk.
When Steiny challenged Cruz’s assessment, asking how the champion could know he “didn’t have hands,” Cruz delivered his harshest analysis. He rejected the proverb about not judging books by their covers, noting that in fighting, appearance and movement tell the whole story. “I read this book… You cannot fight. No chance,” Cruz told him directly. He explained that both he and Garbrandt could identify Steiny’s lack of skill “from a mile away,” reinforcing why Garbrandt would be eager for a confrontation.
Cruz concluded by highlighting the fundamental difference between their worlds. He observed that streamers “talk into” fights because the consequences always result in a “win” for their brand. In contrast, professional fighters “talk out of” street altercations to avoid legal liability and financial loss. Cruz noted that if Garbrandt were to knock Steiny out in a parking lot, Steiny would likely sue while simultaneously gaining respect from fans for standing his ground, creating a no-lose scenario for the influencer but a liability for the athlete.
