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 over T.J. Dillashaw. Numerous media outlets called this victory the greatest comeback story in MMA history.[10][11]
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 joining World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).[17]
World Extreme Cagefighting
His first fight in the WEC was at featherweight at WEC26 in a title fight against Urijah Faber in which he lost by guillotine choke in the first round.[18] The fight would become the beginning of a longstanding cantankerous rivalry between the two.[19]
He would then make his debut for the WEC's 135 lb bantamweight division on June 7, 2008, at WEC34 defeating Charlie Valencia by unanimous decision.[20]
Cruz went on to take decision victories against Ian McCall on January 25, 2009, at WEC38 and April 5, 2009, Ivan Lopez at WEC 40.[21][22][23]
Cruz defeated Joseph Benavidez on August 9, 2009, at WEC42 by unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[24]
WEC Bantamweight Championship
Riding a four-fight win streak, Cruz was presented with a title shot against the reigning WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles. The bout took place at WEC47 on March 6, 2010.[25] Cruz won the bout via TKO after Bowles was unable to continue after the second round after breaking his hand. Cruz became the new WEC Bantamweight Champion.[26]
Cruz made his first title defense against Joseph Benavidez on August 18, 2010, at WEC50.[27] Cruz broke his left hand in the fight.[28] The bout was a rematch of their contest at WEC42, in which Cruz handed Benavidez his first career loss, via decision. Cruz defeated Benavidez again via split decision and retained his title.[29]
Cruz faced Scott Jorgensen on December 14, 2010, at WEC53 for both the WEC Bantamweight Championship and the newly created UFC Bantamweight Championship.[30] 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.[31] Cruz defeated Jorgensen via unanimous decision to retain the WEC Bantamweight Championship and become the first UFC Bantamweight Champion.[32]
A rematch with Urijah Faber took place on July 2, 2011, at UFC132 being the first defense of the new UFC Bantamweight title.[34] 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.[35][36]
Cruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus6, his second UFC title defense. Cruz broke his right hand in the first round.[28][37] Cruz was expected to face Urijah Faber for a third time for the UFC bantamweight championship after Faber defeated Brian Bowles at UFC139 in a bantamweight title eliminator bout.[38]
String of injuries
In December 2011, Cruz was selected to coach The Ultimate Fighter: Live against opposing coach Urijah Faber.[39] The rubber match between Cruz and Faber was expected to take place on July 7, 2012, at UFC148.[40] However, on May 7, 2012, Cruz was forced to pull out of the bout citing a torn ACL.[41]
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.[42]
Cruz was scheduled to make his return on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169 in a unification bout with interim UFC Bantamweight ChampionRenan Barão.[43] 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 UFC169.[44]
After nearly three years away from the sport due to injuries, Cruz returned to the octagon on September 27, 2014, at UFC178 where he faced Takeya Mizugaki.[45] Cruz won the fight by KO in the first round by punches after getting a takedown.[46] The win also earned Cruz his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[47] 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.[48]
Regaining the championship
After over four years since his last title fight, Cruz faced T.J. Dillashaw on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81. He regained the title with a split-decision victory.[49] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[50] 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 against Urijah Faber on June 4, 2016, at UFC199. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[51]
Injuries and losing the title
Cruz faced Cody Garbrandt on December 30, 2016, at UFC207. After getting knocked down multiple times during the bout, Cruz lost the bout by unanimous decision.[52] This was the first loss for Cruz in nearly 10 years.[53] Months later, on The Joe Rogan Experience, Cruz revealed that he was plagued by plantarfasciatendinitis throughout training camp that made it difficult for him to walk at times.[54]
Cruz was expected to face Jimmie Rivera on December 30, 2017, at UFC219, however, on November 8, it was reported Cruz suffered a broken arm and he was forced to pull from the card.[55]
Cruz was expected to face John Lineker on January 26, 2019 at UFC233.[56] It was reported on December 11, 2018 that Cruz injured his shoulder and pulled out of the fight.[57] Subsequently, Cruz indicated that he expects to be out of competition for another year.[58]
Cruz faced Pedro Munhoz on December 11, 2021 at UFC269.[63] He won the fight via unanimous decision despite getting knocked down twice during the opening round.[64] The bout earned the Fight of the Night bonus award.[65]
Cruz faced Marlon Vera on August 13, 2022 at UFC on ESPN41.[66] He lost the fight by knockout via a head kick in round four.[67]
Fighting style
Considered to be one of the best MMA fighters of his generation, Cruz combines constant lateral motion with precise, in-and-out striking.[9][68] 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][68] In addition to his striking, Cruz has extensive training in amateur wrestling.[14]
