Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz, a two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion, solidified his place in mixed martial arts history with a career marked by groundbreaking victories and exceptional resilience. He launched his professional MMA career in 2005, rapidly building an undefeated 9-0 record across the Rage in the Cage and Total Combat organizations. Transitioning to World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Cruz initially competed at featherweight before moving to the bantamweight division. He captured the WEC Bantamweight Championship in March 2010 by defeating Brian Bowles via TKO, successfully defending the title twice, including a notable rematch against Joseph Benavidez in August 2010.

In December 2010, Cruz faced Scott Jorgensen, winning by unanimous decision to unify the WEC Bantamweight Championship and become the inaugural UFC Bantamweight Champion. He successfully defended his newly acquired UFC title against Urijah Faber in July 2011 and Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. A series of severe injuries, including multiple ACL tears and a groin injury, led to a nearly three-year layoff and forced him to vacate the UFC title in 2014. However, Cruz made a remarkable return in September 2014, securing a first-round KO against Takeya Mizugaki, an impressive performance that earned him a coveted Performance of the Night bonus.

Beyond his groundbreaking fighting career, Dominick Cruz has established himself as a respected sports analyst and color commentator within the MMA landscape. He officially announced his retirement from active competition in February 2025, concluding a career defined by championship triumphs and an unparalleled ability to overcome adversity.