| Dominick Cruz | |
|---|---|
 Cruz in 2017 | |
| Born | Dominick Rogelio Cruz (1985-03-09)March 9, 1985 (age 40)[1] San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Nickname | The Dominator |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2008–2025) Featherweight (2006–2008) Lightweight (2005–2006) |
| Reach | 68 in (173 cm)[3] |
| Fighting out of | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Team | Alliance MMA (2006–2025)[5] |
| Rank | Blue belt inBrazilian Jiu-JitsuunderLloyd Irvin[6] |
| Years active | 2005–2022 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 28 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 16 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Website | dominickcruzmma |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Dominick Rogelio Cruz[7] (born March 9, 1985) is an American former professionalmixed martial artist, sports analyst andcolor commentator.[8] He competed in theBantamweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was the inaugural and two-timeBantamweight Champion. Cruz has also competed forWorld Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), and was the finalWEC Bantamweight Champion. He is considered to be one of the greatest bantamweight fighters of all time.
Cruz is noted for his unorthodox movement, powerful wrestling base, quick striking, and his tendency to attack from angles in a fashion unlike any other fighter on the UFC roster.[9] He won the WEC bantamweight title in March 2010, and won the inaugural UFC Bantamweight Championship the following December. After defending the belt twice in 2011, Cruz was sidelined by injuries in 2012 and subsequently stripped of the title in 2014. On January 17, 2016, he regained the bantamweight championship with a split-decision win overT.J. Dillashaw. Numerous media outlets called this victory the greatest comeback story in MMA history.[10][11]
According toFight Matrix, Cruz is ranked as the greatest bantamweight of all time,[12] having recorded five lineal title defenses across two championship reigns.[13] In 2026, he was inducted into theUFC Hall of Fame.[14]
Cruz was born inSan Diego, California,[15][16] and is of Mexican descent.[17] He lived with his single mother, grandmother, and brother in a trailer park inTucson for most of his childhood.[18][19] He startedwrestling inseventh grade and competed all through high school out ofFlowing Wells High School.[20][21] After an injury that came in hissenior year, he lost the opportunity of receiving a scholarship towrestle at theUniversity of Northern Colorado.[22] Cruz worked as a customer service representative atLowe's, and was studying to be afirefighter atcommunity college before becoming a full time fighter.[23]
Cruz began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in 2005, competing in the Rage in the Cage and Total Combat organizations. He amassed a record of 9–0 before joiningWorld Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).[24]
His first fight in the WEC was atfeatherweight atWEC 26 in a title fight againstUrijah Faber in which he lost by guillotine choke in the first round.[25] The fight would become the beginning of a longstanding cantankerous rivalry between the two.[26]
He would then make his debut for the WEC's 135 lbbantamweight division on June 7, 2008, atWEC 34 defeatingCharlie Valencia by unanimous decision.[27]
Cruz went on to take decision victories againstIan McCall on January 25, 2009, atWEC 38 and April 5, 2009, Ivan Lopez atWEC 40.[28][29][30]
Cruz defeatedJoseph Benavidez on August 9, 2009, atWEC 42 by unanimous decision. Both participants were awardedFight of the Night honors.[31]
Riding a four-fight win streak, Cruz was presented with a title shot against the reigning WEC Bantamweight ChampionBrian Bowles. The bout took place atWEC 47 on March 6, 2010.[32] Cruz won the bout via TKO after Bowles was unable to continue after the second round after breaking his hand. Cruz became the newWEC Bantamweight Champion.[33]
Cruz made his first title defense againstJoseph Benavidez on August 18, 2010, atWEC 50.[34] Cruz broke his left hand in the fight.[35] The bout was a rematch of their contest atWEC 42, in which Cruz handed Benavidez his first career loss, via decision. Cruz defeated Benavidez again via split decision and retained his title.[36]
Cruz facedScott Jorgensen on December 14, 2010, atWEC 53 for both the WEC Bantamweight Championship and the newly createdUFC Bantamweight Championship.[37] This bout would be the final Bantamweight Championship fight under the WEC banner and would also crown the inaugural UFC Bantamweight champion, making this the only UFC title fight to take place outside of the UFC.[38] Cruz defeated Jorgensen via unanimous decision to retain theWEC Bantamweight Championship and become the firstUFC Bantamweight Champion.[39]
On October 28, 2010,World Extreme Cagefighting merged with theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[40]
A rematch withUrijah Faber took place on July 2, 2011, atUFC 132 being the first defense of the new UFC Bantamweight title.[41] In a closely contested fight which saw Faber drop Cruz multiple times with strikes and Cruz landing multiple leg\body kicks, knees and takedowns, Cruz defeated Faber via unanimous decision to retain his championship and avenge the only loss on his record at that time.[42][43]
Cruz defeatedDemetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011, atUFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense. Cruz broke his right hand in the first round.[35][44] Cruz was expected to face Urijah Faber for a third time for the UFC bantamweight championship after Faber defeatedBrian Bowles atUFC 139 in a bantamweight title eliminator bout.[45]
In December 2011, Cruz was selected to coachThe Ultimate Fighter: Live against opposing coachUrijah Faber.[46] The rubber match between Cruz and Faber was expected to take place on July 7, 2012, atUFC 148.[47] However, on May 7, 2012, Cruz was forced to pull out of the bout citing a torn ACL.[48]
On December 3, 2012, it was revealed that Cruz underwent another ACL surgery after his body rejected one from a cadaver, with an expected recovery time of six to nine months.[49]
Cruz was scheduled to make his return on February 1, 2014, atUFC 169 in a unification bout withinterim UFC Bantamweight ChampionRenan Barão.[50] However, on a January 6 episode ofSportsCenter, UFC president Dana White announced that Dominick Cruz had torn his groin and vacated the UFC Bantamweight Championship; White promoted Barão to undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, and announced that Barão's first unified title defense would be againstUrijah Faber atUFC 169.[51]
After nearly three years away from the sport due to injuries, Cruz returned to the octagon on September 27, 2014, atUFC 178 where he facedTakeya Mizugaki.[52] Cruz won the fight by KO in the first round by punches after getting a takedown.[53] The win also earned Cruz his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[54] At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed that Cruz's next fight would be for the Bantamweight Championship againstT.J. Dillashaw.
Subsequently, on December 22, 2014, Cruz indicated that he had torn theACL in his other knee, which sidelined him through 2015.[55]
After over four years since his last title fight, Cruz facedT.J. Dillashaw on January 17, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 81. He regained the title with a split-decision victory.[56] Both participants were awardedFight of the Night honors.[57] Many have cited the return and victory as one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history.[10][11]
To complete their trilogy, Cruz defended his title againstUrijah Faber on June 4, 2016, atUFC 199. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[58]
Cruz facedCody Garbrandt on December 30, 2016, atUFC 207. After getting knocked down multiple times during the bout, Cruz lost the bout by unanimous decision.[59] This was the first loss for Cruz in nearly 10 years.[60] Months later, onThe Joe Rogan Experience, Cruz revealed that he was plagued byplantarfasciatendinitis throughout training camp that made it difficult for him to walk at times.[61]
Cruz was expected to faceJimmie Rivera on December 30, 2017, atUFC 219, however, on November 8, it was reported Cruz suffered a broken arm and he was forced to pull from the card.[62]
Cruz was expected to faceJohn Lineker on January 26, 2019 atUFC 233.[63] It was reported on December 11, 2018 that Cruz injured his shoulder and pulled out of the fight.[64] Subsequently, Cruz indicated that he expects to be out of competition for another year.[65]
After more than a 3 year-layoff, Cruz replacedJosé Aldo and facedHenry Cejudo for theUFC Bantamweight Championship on May 9, 2020 atUFC 249.[66] Cruz lost via TKO in the second round.[67]
Cruz facedCasey Kenney on March 6, 2021 atUFC 259.[68] He won the fight via split decision.[69]
Cruz facedPedro Munhoz on December 11, 2021 atUFC 269.[70] He won the fight via unanimous decision despite getting knocked down twice during the opening round.[71] The bout earned theFight of the Night bonus award.[72]
Cruz facedMarlon Vera on August 13, 2022 atUFC on ESPN 41.[73] He lost the fight by knockout via a head kick in round four.[74]
After over a two year absence, Cruz was scheduled to faceRob Font on February 22, 2025, atUFC Fight Night 252.[75] However, Cruz withdrew from the fight due to a shoulder injury, and announced his retirement from competition.[76][77]
DuringUFC 324's broadcast, Cruz was announced as the next "modern wing" inductee into theUFC Hall of Fame, with the ceremony scheduled for International Fight Week in Las Vegas in June 2026.[78]
Considered to be one of the best MMA fighters of his generation, Cruz combines constant lateral motion with precise, in-and-out striking.[9][79] Known as one of the most agile fighters in MMA, he is noted for his quick footwork, head movement, and use of feints. He often attacks with combinations, step-in jabs, and single strikes thrown from all angles.[9][79] In addition to his striking, Cruz has extensive training in amateur wrestling.[21]
| 28 matches | 24 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 2 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 16 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 24–4 | Marlon Vera | KO (head kick) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz | August 13, 2022 | 4 | 2:17 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 24–3 | Pedro Munhoz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 269 | December 11, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 23–3 | Casey Kenney | Decision (split) | UFC 259 | March 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 22–3 | Henry Cejudo | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC 249 | May 9, 2020 | 2 | 4:58 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | For theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 22–2 | Cody Garbrandt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 207 | December 30, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lost theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 22–1 | Urijah Faber | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 199 | June 4, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–1 | T.J. Dillashaw | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz | January 17, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Won theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 20–1 | Takeya Mizugaki | KO (punches) | UFC 178 | September 27, 2014 | 1 | 1:01 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–1 | Demetrious Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson | October 1, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Washington D.C., United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Cruz vacated the title on January 6, 2014 due to recurring injuries. |
| Win | 18–1 | Urijah Faber | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 132 | July 2, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended theUFC Bantamweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–1 | Scott Jorgensen | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 53 | December 16, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Defended theWEC Bantamweight Championship. Won the inauguralUFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–1 | Joseph Benavidez | Decision (split) | WEC 50 | August 18, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended theWEC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–1 | Brian Bowles | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WEC 47 | March 6, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | Won theWEC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Joseph Benavidez | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 42 | August 9, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 13–1 | Iván López | Technical Decision (unanimous) | WEC 40 | April 5, 2009 | 3 | 3:24 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Lopez was unable to continue after an unintentional knee on the ground by Cruz. |
| Win | 12–1 | Ian McCall | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 38 | January 25, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Charlie Valencia | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 34 | June 1, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 10–1 | Kenneth Aimes | KO (punches) | Total Combat 27 | March 22, 2008 | 1 | N/A | Yuma, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Urijah Faber | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 26 | March 24, 2007 | 1 | 1:38 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For theWEC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–0 | Shad Smith | Decision (unanimous) | Total Combat 18 | November 4, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Featherweight debut. Won the vacant Total Combat Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–0 | Juan Miranda | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Total Combat 16 | September 9, 2006 | 1 | 4:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Won the vacant Total Combat Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Dave Hisquierdo | Decision (split) | Total Combat 15 | July 15, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Michael Barney | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 79 | February 24, 2006 | 1 | 2:45 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Nick Hedrick | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 75 | September 30, 2005 | 3 | 2:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Josh Donahue | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 74 | September 10, 2005 | 2 | 1:09 | Casa Grande, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Tom Schwager | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 73 | August 6, 2005 | 1 | 0:56 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Rosco McClellan | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 70 | June 11, 2005 | 2 | 1:26 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Eddie Castro | Decision (split) | Rage in the Cage 67 | January 29, 2005 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 132 | Cruz vs.Faber 2 | July 2, 2011 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada | 350,000[102] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 5thWEC Bantamweight Champion March 6, 2010 – December 16, 2010 | Succeeded by Became UFC Champion |
| New title | 1stUFC Bantamweight Champion December 16, 2010 – January 6, 2014 Vacated | Succeeded by Renan Barão Promoted |
| Preceded by | 4thUFC Bantamweight Champion January 17, 2016 – December 30, 2016 | Succeeded by |
Updated to 10 February 2026 |
