Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz
Born	Dominick Rojelio Cruz; September 3, 1985 (age 38); Tucson, Arizona, United States
Other names	Dominator
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight	134.5 lb (61.0 kg; 9.61 st)
Division	135
Reach	69.0 in (175 cm)
Style	Boxing and Wrestling.
Fighting out of	San Diego, California
Team	Alliance MMA, Team Lloyd Irvin
Years active	2005–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	17
Wins	16
By knockout	6
By submission	1
By decision	8
Losses	1
By submission	1
Draws	0
No contests	0
Other information
	Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
	Last updated on: March 10, 2010

Dominick Rojelio Cruz (born September 3, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion and is ranked the No.1 Bantamweight in the world by Sherdog.^[1] He also holds the only victories over previously undefeeated Brian Bowles (whom he beat to gain the WEC Bantamweight Championship), and top contender Joseph Benavidez, having beaten Benavidez twice; the first occasion being at WEC 42, and the second being his title defense at WEC 50.

Mixed martial arts career

Cruz began his professional MMA career fighting in the Rage in a Cage and Total Combat organizations. He amassed an undefeated winning streak of 9-0.

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. He would then make his debut for WEC's 135 lb Bantamweight division at WEC 34 defeating Charlie Valencia by unanimous decision and would go on to show domination of the 135 lb Bantamweight division beating the likes of Ian McCall, Ivan Lopez and handing top contender Joseph Benavidez his first loss at WEC 42 winning all bouts by unanimous decision and winning fight of the night honors in his bout versus Benavidez.

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.^[2]

Cruz made his first title defense against Joseph Benavidez on August 18, 2010 at WEC 50.^[3] 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. It was announced on the same night that Scott Jorgensen would be next in line for a title shot against Cruz.

Cruz is expected to face Jorgensen on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53.^[4] The bout will mark the last Bantamweight fight, and the last Bantamweight title fight under the WEC banner, as it will officially be recognized as the UFC Bantamweight Championship after the event due to the upcoming UFC/WEC merger.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches	16 wins	1 loss
By knockout	6	0
By submission	1	1
By decision	8	0
Draws	0
No contests	0

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	17-1	Scott Jorgensen	Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis	December 16, 2010	5	5:00	Glendale, Arizona, USA	For UFC Bantamweight Champion.
Win	16-1	Joseph Benavidez	Decision (Split)	WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez 2	August 18, 2010	5	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Defended WEC Bantamweight Championship
Win	15-1	Brian Bowles	TKO (Doctor Stoppage Injury)	WEC 47:Bowles vs. Cruz	March 6, 2010	2	5:00	Columbus, Ohio, USA	Won WEC Bantamweight Championship
Win	14-1	Joseph Benavidez	Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles	August 9, 2009	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Fight of the Night
Win	13-1	Ivan Lopez	Technical Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki	April 5, 2009	3	3:24	Chicago, Illinois, USA	Technical decision due to an unintentional knee on the ground by Cruz.^[5]
Win	12-1	Ian McCall	Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone	January 25, 2009	3	5:00	San Diego, California, USA
Win	11-1	Charlie Valencia	Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver	June 1, 2008	3	5:00	Sacramento, California, USA	Debut at 135 lbs
Win	10-1	Kenneth Aimes	KO	TC 27 - Total Combat 27	March 22, 2008	1	N/A	Yuma, Arizona, USA
Loss	9-1	Urijah Faber	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	WEC 26: Condit vs. Alessio	March 24, 2007	1	1:38	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	For the WEC Featherweight Championship
Win	9-0	Shad Smith	Decision (Unanimous)	TC 18 - Nightmare	November 4, 2006	2	5:00	San Diego, California, USA
Win	8-0	Juan Miranda	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	TC 16 - Annihilation	September 9, 2006	1	4:00	San Diego, California, USA
Win	7-0	Dave Hisquierdo	Decision (Split)	TC 15 - Total Combat 15	July 15, 2006	3	5:00	San Diego, California, USA
Win	6-0	Michael Barney	TKO	RITC 79 - The Rage Returns	February 24, 2006	1	2:45	Tucson, Arizona, USA
Win	5-0	Nick Hedrick	Decision (Unanimous)	RITC 75 - Friday Night Fights	September 30, 2005	3	3:00	Glendale, Arizona, USA
Win	4-0	Josh Donahue	TKO	RITC 74 - In Your Face	September 10, 2005	2	1:09	Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
Win	3-0	Tom Schwager	TKO	RITC 73 - Arizona vs Nevada	August 6, 2005	1	0:56	Glendale, Arizona, USA
Win	2-0	Rosco McClellan	TKO	RITC 70 - Rage in the Cage 70	June 11, 2005	2	1:26	Glendale, Arizona, USA
Win	1-0	Eddie Castro	Decision (Split)	RITC 67 - Back to the Dodge	January 29, 2005	3	3:00	Phoenix, Arizona, USA