On January 24, 2026, Muratalla will make his first title defense against a fighter that few champions will willingly face – and almost none will actively pursue.
A mandatory that changes the equation
Cruz does not enter this fight as a contender looking to announce himself. He comes as a structural problem.
With an amateur record reported at 140–9 and years spent neutralizing pressure fighters in the Cuban system, Cruz brings a skill set that rarely produces fireworks but often causes frustration. That matters against Muratalla, whose success has largely come from early pressure and power.
This was not the defense Muratalla had planned for. That’s the one he’s dealing with.
Style Clash, not Star Power
Muratalla is most effective when he can close distance early, apply power and let his physicality set the pace. Many of his stoppages have come before opponents can settle or adjust.
Cruz is built to break down that approach
He relies on timing, distance control and counterstriking – the precise tools that punish forefoot pressure. Speed, not power, is the separator in that equation, and Cruz holds the edge there.
For Muratalla, it’s not about trade. It’s about finding a way to disrupt a rhythm that rarely breaks on its own.
Why Cruz is the favorite
Oddsmakers installed Cruz as the betting favorite, despite Muratalla entering as the reigning champion. That alone tells the story.
Cruz is the kind of fighter who makes belts secondary to risk. At 135, few top names showed interest in him, not because he lacked ability, but because he offered little upside relative to the danger.
It’s a classic case of a mandatory challenger bringing more technical authority than commercial appeal – and these are often the most awkward fights for champions.
The first defense test
The fight will stream on DAZN from Fontainebleau Las Vegas, but the institution will not soften the task.
For Muratalla, it’s about proving adaptability, not toughness. Pressure alone will not be enough. He will need patience, discipline and a way to prevent Cruz from turning the fight into a long technical exercise.
For Cruz, it’s a chance to confirm what many already believe – that shunning at lightweight wasn’t a fluke.
What this battle really is
This is not a brilliant defense. This is a skill test. And for a champion making his first defense, facing Andy Cruz is about as unforgiving a way to start as the division has to offer.
