Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz after retaining his WEC Bantamweight Championship at WEC 50
Born Dominick Rojelio Cruz
(1985-09-03) September 3, 1985
San Diego, California, United States
Other names The Dominator
Residence San Diego, California[1]
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight (2008–present)
Featherweight (2006–2008)
Lightweight (2005–2006)
Reach 68.0 in (173 cm)[2]
Style Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out of Chula Vista, California[1]
Team Alliance MMA
Rank Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [3]
Years active 2005–Present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 23
Wins 22
By knockout 7
By submission 1
By decision 14
Losses 1
By submission 1
Other information
Website www.domcruzmma.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Dominick Rojelio Cruz (born September 3, 1985 in San Diego)[4][5] is an American mixed martial artist. He fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and is the current two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion. Cruz was also the final bantamweight titleholder of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

Known as one of the top pound for pound fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA), Cruz is noted for swift movement, quick striking, and his tendency to attack from angles in a unique fashion unlike any other fighter on the UFC roster.[6] 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 over T.J. Dillashaw. Numerous media outlets called this victory the greatest comeback story in MMA history.[7][8]

In addition to fighting, Cruz is an MMA analyst for Fox Sports.

Mixed martial arts career

Cruz competed in amateur wrestling while attending junior high school in Tucson, Arizona.[9] He 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 joining World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).[10]

World Extreme Cagefighting

His first fight in the WEC was at featherweight in a title fight against Urijah Faber in which he lost by guillotine choke in the first round. The fight would become the beginning of a longstanding cantankerous rivalry between the two.

He would then make his debut for the WEC's 135 lb bantamweight division on June 7, 2008 at WEC 34 defeating Charlie Valencia by unanimous decision.

Cruz went on to take decision victories against Ian McCall on January 25, 2009 at WEC 38 and April 5, 2009 Ivan Lopez at WEC 40.

Cruz defeated Joseph Benavidez on August 9, 2009 at WEC 42 by unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[11]

Cruz defeated Brian Bowles via TKO (doctor stoppage) on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47. Bowles was unable to continue after the second round after breaking his hand. Cruz became the new WEC Bantamweight Champion.[12]

Cruz made his first title defense against Joseph Benavidez on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50.[13] Cruz broke his left hand in the fight.[14] The bout was a rematch of their contest at WEC 42, in which Cruz handed Benavidez his first career loss, via decision. Cruz defeated Benavidez again via split decision.

Cruz faced Scott Jorgensen on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53 for both the WEC Bantamweight Championship and the newly created UFC Bantamweight Championship.[15] 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.[16] Cruz defeated Jorgensen via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45), to retain the WEC Bantamweight Championship and become the first UFC Bantamweight Champion.[17]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[18]

A rematch with Urijah Faber took place on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132 being the first defense of the new UFC Bantamweight title.[19] 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.[20][21]

Cruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense. Cruz broke his right hand in the first round.[14][22] Cruz was expected to face Urijah Faber for a third time for the UFC bantamweight championship after Faber defeated Brian Bowles at UFC 139 in a bantamweight title eliminator bout.[23]

In December 2011, Cruz was selected to coach the The Ultimate Fighter: Live against opposing coach Urijah Faber.[24] The rubber match between Cruz and Faber was expected to take place on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148.[25] However, on May 7, 2012, Cruz was forced to pull out of the bout citing a torn ACL.[26]

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.[27]

Cruz was scheduled to make his return on February 1, 2014 at UFC 169 in a unification bout with interim UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barão.[28] However, on a January 6 episode of SportsCenter, 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 against Urijah Faber at UFC 169.[29]

After nearly three years away from the sport due to injuries, Cruz returned to the octagon on September 27, 2014 at UFC 178 where he faced Takeya Mizugaki.[30] Cruz won the fight by KO in the first round by punches after getting a takedown.[31] The win also earned Cruz his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[32] At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed that Cruz's next fight would be for the Bantamweight Championship against T.J. Dillashaw.

Subsequently, on December 22, 2014, Cruz indicated that he had torn the ACL in his other knee, which sidelined him through 2015.[33]

Cruz faced T.J. Dillashaw on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. He regained the title with a split-decision victory.[34] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[35]

Cruz successfully defended his title against Urijah Faber on June 4, 2016 at UFC 199.[36] He won the fight by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46), knocking Faber down twice.[37] Cruz concluded the trilogy with the Alpha-Male (Faber) with a 2-1 winning record.

Cruz is expected to face Cody Garbrandt on December 30, 2016 at UFC 207.[38]

Fighting style

Cruz combines constant lateral motion with precise, in-and-out striking.[6][39] 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 angles.[6][39] In addition to his striking, Cruz has extensive training in amateur wrestling.[9]

Personal life

Cruz's father is of Mexican-American descent. He lived with his mother and brother in Tucson, where he attended Flowing Wells High School. In September 2012, he was inducted into the Flowing Wells Athletic Hall of Fame. He worked as a customer service representative and was studying to be a firefighter at a community college before becoming a full-time fighter.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–1 Urijah Faber Decision (unanimous) UFC 199 June 4, 2016 5 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States Defended the UFC 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 the UFC 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 the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Later vacated 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 the UFC 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 the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Won the inaugural UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 16–1 Joseph Benavidez Decision (split) WEC 50 August 18, 2010 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the WEC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–1 Brian Bowles TKO (doctor stoppage) WEC 47 March 6, 2010 2 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States Won the WEC 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 the WEC 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 3:00 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


See also

References

  1. 1 2
  2. ↑ "Print Fight Card - UFC 178 Johnson vs. Cariaso". UFC.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ Nick Caron (July 3, 2011). "UFC 132: Did Dominick Cruz Take a Shot at Urijah Faber with Blue Belt Promotion?". Bleacher Report.
  4. ↑ "Dominick Cruz ("The Dominator") | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. ↑ "DominatorCruz | Dominick Cruz Verified Facebook Page". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  6. 1 2 3 Stets, Michael (2016-01-18). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Dominick Cruz delivers vintage performance, defeats T.J. Dillashaw to regain Bantamweight belt". MSN. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  7. ↑ Martin, Damon (2016-01-18). "Dominick Cruz just completed the greatest comeback in UFC history". FoxSports.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  8. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 81 Results: Dominick Cruz Regains Title with Split Decision Over TJ Dillashaw". Yahoo.com. 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  9. 1 2 Matherjan, Victor (2016-01-15). "Wrestlers Find Well-Worn Path to U.F.C. Title Bout". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  10. ↑ "Dominick Cruz". Sherdog. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  11. ↑ Morgan, John (August 10, 2009). "WEC 42 bonuses: Cruz, Benavidez, Bowles and Yahya earn $10K "fight night" awards". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Brian Bowles defends bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at WEC 47 on March 6". mmajunkie.com. 2009-12-11.
  13. ↑ "Cruz vs Benavidez For The Title In August". MMAweekly.com. 2010-06-08.
  14. 1 2 "Gross Picture of the Day: Dominick Cruz's Hand". CagePotato.
  15. ↑ "WEC 53 title doubleheader features Henderson vs. Pettis, Cruz vs. Jorgensen". mmajunkie.com. 2010-09-27.
  16. ↑ "WEC 53: Dominick Cruz, Scott Jorgensen Fight To Be First UFC Bantamweight Champion". sbnation.com. December 14, 2010.
  17. ↑ WEC 53 play by play and live results. MMAjunkie.com. December 16, 2010
  18. ↑ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Champ Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber II booked for UFC 132". mmajunkie.com. 2011-03-26.
  20. ↑ "UFC 132 Play-by-Play: Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber". MMAweekly.com. 2011-06-30.
  21. ↑ Iole, Kevin. (2012-02-26) UFC 132: Cruz claims rematch over Faber – UFC – Yahoo! Sports. Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-03.
  22. ↑ "UFC Quick Quote: Dominick Cruz Beat Demetrious Johnson With A Broken Hand *VIDEO*".
  23. ↑ Cofield, Steve (October 1, 2011). "Cruz digs deep to retain his 135-pound title at UFC on Versus 6". Yahoo!. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber Selected as Coaches of Next Ultimate Fighter Season". mmafighting.com. December 6, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Champ Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber III targeted for UFC 148 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. February 10, 2012.
  26. ↑ Martin, Damon (May 7, 2012). "Dominick Cruz Injured, Out of UFC 148". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  27. ↑ "UFC Champ Dominick Cruz's Return Pushed Back By Second ACL Surgery". mmajunkie.com. 2012-12-03.
  28. ↑ Staff. "Jose Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas, Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao set for UFC 169". Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  29. ↑ Staff. "Dominick Cruz withdraws from fight". Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  30. ↑ Erickson, Matt (2014-07-08). "Dominick Cruz set for return at UFC 178 vs. Takeya Mizugaki". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  31. ↑ Fowlkes, Ben (2014-09-27). "Dominick Cruz finally returns for quick TKO of Takeya Mizugaki". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-27.
  32. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-09-28). "UFC 178 bonuses: McGregor, Cruz, Romero, Kennedy earn $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  33. ↑ Damon Martin (2014-12-22). "Dominick Cruz suffers another ACL injury, timeline for return unknown". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  34. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2016-01-18). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Dominick Cruz regains title with split over T.J. Dillashaw". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  35. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-01-18). "UFC Fight Night Bonuses: Cruz, Dillashaw, Herman, Sanders pocket $50K checks". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  36. ↑ Staff (2016-03-04). "Rockhold-Weidman 2, Cruz-Faber 3 headline UFC 199 on June 4 at The Forum in L.A.". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  37. ↑ "UFC 199 results: Dominant again, Dominick Cruz retains 135 title with decision over Urijah Faber". mmajunkie.com. 2016-06-05.
  38. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-10-20). "Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt targeted for UFC 207". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  39. 1 2 Slack, Jack (2015-09-25). "Dominick Cruz: Breaking the Rules of Thumb". Fightland. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  40. ↑ Dominick Cruz – Official UFC® Fighter Profile. Ufc.com (2012-02-27). Retrieved on 2012-03-03.

External links

Preceded by
Brian Bowles		 5th WEC Bantamweight Champion
March 6, 2010 – December 16, 2010 		Succeeded by
Became UFC Champion
Vacant
Title last held by
First Champion		 1st UFC Bantamweight Champion
December 16, 2010 – Jan 06, 2014 		Succeeded by
Renan Barão
Preceded by
T.J. Dillashaw		 4th UFC Bantamweight Champion
January 17, 2016 – present 		Incumbent
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