Dominick Cruz broke his left hand early in the UFC title collision with Demetrious Johnson © Getty Images Enlarge

Dominick Cruz did not want to make a big deal during the post-fight interview, but UFC president Dana White paid tribute to the bantamweight champion after he fought the majority of Saturday's fight with a broken hand.

Cruz produced another quality display of mixed martial arts to overcome a seriously difficult challenge in Demetrious Johnson, who was quicker and sharper than the champion. In the end, uncharacteristically, it was Cruz's wrestling and ground game that won him a unanimous decision.

In the stand-up, maybe for the first time in his career, Cruz looked distinctly second best, but a major reason for that may have been the broken left hand, which will now require surgery. However, if it hadn't been for White, Cruz would never have aired the news.

"You know one of the things I respect about the kid?" White said. "He's got a broken hand and had one the entire fight. He broke his [left] hand and is going to have surgery.

"Not only did he not stop fighting and keep coming up 100 per cent, he doesn't even f***ing say anything about it. He goes through an entire press conference and doesn't say anything about his hand."

Cruz was not present to explain his silence, but White recalled the conversation between the two parties.

"'What's the difference? Who cares?'" Cruz apparently told the president. "I'm going to have surgery and come back.'

"You should see his hand right now. His whole middle of his hand is all swollen. His knuckle looks nasty. He's going to get surgery next week."

News of Cruz's broken hand could well delay his next title defence, which is likely to be against the winner of Urijah Faber v Brian Bowles.

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