By the time New Year’s rolls around in his home state of Michigan, Daron Cruickshank will once again be a free agent. But if Rizin Fighting Federation plays their cards right, there’s a good chance that “The Detroit Superstar” sticks around.
Cruickshank (22-10) has called the Japanese promotion home since debuting at Rizin’s first event back in April 2016, though he’s continued to make the 14-plus hour commute from the United States for all eight of his appearances, rarely staying overseas past fight week. None of those eight fights have gone the distance, and it’s Cruickshank who has been the last man standing in six of them.