Dominick Cruz is one of the biggest names in the MMA division (especially bantamweight). The Dominator is known for his unorthodox fighting style, quick footwork, and ability to adapt in the octagon. Despite the numerous injuries he suffered throughout his career, he is a true inspiration to so many in this beautiful and brutal game we call mixed martial arts. Read on to find out more about his life, career, and recent news.
Here’s a summary of Dominick Cruz’s MMA fight statistics:
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 29 |
| Wins | 24 |
| – By Knockout | 11 |
| – By Submission | 1 |
| – By Decision | 12 |
| Losses | 5 |
| – By Knockout | 1 |
| – By Submission | 1 |
| – By Decision | 3 |
| No Contests | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
Early life and MMA beginnings
Doming CruzDominick Cruz was born in San Diego, California on March 9, 1985. Born and raised in a working poor household with his single mother, Cruz grew up in difficult circumstances. Starting from an early age he has always been into combat sports and, as his amateur wrestling career at high school level proves. However, only financial constraints prohibited him from accepting college scholarships. Cruz worked as a customer service rep to help make ends meet while he trained to become an MMA fighter.
He started his professional career in 2005 and fought for smaller promotions such as Rage in the Cage. Cruz gathered a buzz early for his unorthodox footwork and striking; a marriage of wrestling with bright box. All those years of effort were finally rewarded when he was offered a contract by the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) which eventually merged with the UFC.
Rise to prominence in WEC and UFC
My bad guy Dominick Cruz was the WEC bantamweight champion originally.… whereas Bowles came to Zuffa HQ with the crown already around his waist. The WEC bantamweight championship was considered unified with the UFC when Cruz defeated Scott Jorgensen in his UFC debut, at WEC 52 in November 2011. Cruz kept dominating the bantamweight division by defeating fighters like Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson in defense of his title. One of his more known rivalries in the sport is against Faber, with the two fighting three times to a record of 2-1 in favor of Cruz.
One problem was that Cruz had such an unconventional style. Many of Oswelt’s challenges became frustrated with his quick and active footwork, head movement, and combined striking avoidance and pinpoint striking. One of the best bantamweights in MMA history.
Injury woes and recovery
Cruz had a mesmerizing style even though his career was ravaged by injury. Cruz tore his ACL in 2012 and proceeded with a list of issues. Benavidez missed nearly three years of action, and the UFC stripped him of his bantamweight title in 2014 because he was sidelined.
Despite this, Cruz bounced back in 2016 to recapture his belt by beating T.J. Dillashaw via split decision. The fight was highlighted hard in the Cruz-proved-unbreakable department. He further cemented his legacy by defending his title against Urijah Faber in late 2008.
Cruz would fight Cody Garbrandt in December 2016, his final foray as a champion. The two went back and forth in an exciting bout, but it was Garbrandt’s pressure and accuracy that led to a rare unanimous decision victory over Cruz, who lost for the first time since he was defeated by Urijah Faber on March 24, 2007.
Notable fights
Here’s a table summarizing Dominick Cruz’s MMA fight history:
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2008 | WEC 166 | Brian Bowles | Loss | Submission (Guillotine) | Lost the WEC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Mar 6, 2010 | WEC 111 | Urijah Faber | Win | Decision (Split) | Regained the WEC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Jul 24, 2010 | WEC 135 | Scott Jorgensen | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | Successful title defense. |
| Jan 1, 2011 | WEC 143 | Demetrious Johnson | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | Attempt to regain the title. |
| Jul 7, 2011 | UFC 132 | Urijah Faber | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | Successful title defense. |
| Jul 2016 | UFC 199 | Cody Garbrandt | Loss | TKO (Punches) | Lost UFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Jan 2017 | UFC Fight Night 143 | TJ Dillashaw | Loss | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | Attempt to regain title. |
| Mar 2021 | UFC 259 | Casey Kenney | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | Returned after a lengthy hiatus. |
| Jun 2021 | UFC 265 | Marlon Vera | Loss | Decision (Split) | Competitive fight with a close decision. |
Personal life and relationships
He is very secretive and keeps his personal life behind the curtains. He rarely speaks publicly about the relationships but has explained in interviews how his troubled childhood influenced both his attitude to life and career. His dreams and tenacity are often ascribed to the adversity that he experienced as a child.
Cruz has long focused on family, often mentioning his mother as a key motivator. No, he is humble; and, he gets along with his younger brother Derek.
Cruz is also highly regarded outside of the octagon, working as a UFC analyst and commentator. An exceptional fight analyst, his detailed analysis of fights has helped him become one of the most popular sportscasters around.
Latest news and upcoming plans
Cruz’s future in the UFC is now a little uncertain, with his existing deal coming to an end in 2024. At 39, there are questions about whether he wants to remain active or move more toward a full-time analyst role. He’s provided no closure on his future in the competition beyond this but stressed he wants to ensure that if he fights again, it will be when he is ready for the highest level.
However, there has been speculation about a possible Pedro Munhoz rematch or even fighting up-and-comers in the division. Still, there has been no official word from UFC on his next fight in the promotion.
Dominick Networth
In 2024, Dominick Cruz has a net value estimated at $3 million, most of which was made by his exciting Mixed Martial Arts career. Included in his earnings are fight purses, bonuses, and a number of endorsements most prominently with Monster Energy and Adidas. Cruz is also a commentator and analyst, which has earned him money and strengthened his income. He has also done some coaching, ran a gym and invested in real estate to help strengthen his finances.
Conclusion
The career of Dominick Cruz is one about the way perseverance works. A multiple setbacks and injuries later, Cruz is arguably one of the greatest to have ever entered an Octagon. And if he decides to hang up the gloves, or shift solely to commentary, his legacy as “The Dominator” is secure in MMA. And so, fans anxiously await the next step for this all-time great bantamweight.
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