Dominick Cruz stood near the top of the mixed martial arts world for years. “The Dominator” fended off many challenges while he was the WEC and UFC bantamweight champion. Cementing his standing as one of the all-time greats in the sport.
Now, Cruz has officially announced his retirement from the UFC after a pair of recent injuries made the battle just to get to fight night too arduous a task at 39 years old. Following the news, we take some time to remember the 10 greatest moments in the combat sports career of Cruz.
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10. Finding work outside of fighting
Cruz has found his second calling away from the cage, working fights and serving as one of the top analysts in the UFC today. His ability to quickly break down the action and science of fighting has made him one of the more popular analysts during event broadcasts. While fans won’t see him in the Octagon again, he will be cageside for many upcoming events in the years ahead.
- Dominick Cruz record: 24-4 (7 knockouts, 1 submission)
9. Coaching on “The Ultimate Fighter”
Cruz and rival Urijah Faber did battle as coaches back in the 15th season of “The Ultimate Fighter”. The two were scheduled to meet after the season concluded, but a torn ACL sidelined Cruz. Nevertheless, their amazing talent and rivalry put a big enough spotlight on the bantamweight division that it merited coaching spots on the highly popular reality show.
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8. The first of many championship wins
In 2006 at Total Combat 16, Cruz battled Juan Miranda for the vacant Total Combat lightweight championship. Just four minutes into the bout, he locked in a rear-naked choke to secure the win and his first championship.
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7. His first MMA win
It all started for Cruz back in 2005 at Rage in the Cage 67 in Phoenix, Arizona. That night, he went three rounds and nine minutes with Eddie Castro, earning a split decision. It would set him on a path to being one of the greatest 135-pound MMA fighters of all time.
6. Topping Demetrious Johnson
The Octagon could hardly contain the speed of Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson back in 2011 when the two squared off. Cruz put his UFC bantamweight title on the line, earning a decision and sending Johnson off to the flyweight division where he would have an iconic run.
5. First revenge against Urijah Faber
In 2007, Cruz was submitted by Urijah Faber at WEC 26 for the featherweight title. It would take him until 2011 to avenge that loss, doing so at UFC 132 on the Fourth of July weekend to defend his UFC bantamweight title in the process.
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4. Becoming the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion
At WEC 53 in 2010, Cruz scored a decision over Scott Jorgensen, earning his second defense of the bantamweight title. More importantly, he claimed the inaugural UFC bantamweight championship with the win after the MMA world leader decided to finally integrate WEC talent into their company after owning the blue and white brand for years.
3. Last win inside the UFC’s Octagon
We did not know it at the time, but when Cruz got his hand raised at UFC 269 in 2021, that would mark his final victory inside the Octagon. From Las Vegas, Cruz scored a decision over fellow top contender Pedro Munhoz, as the two earned “Fight of the Night” for their efforts.
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2. Second victory over rival Urijah Faber
The rivalry between Cruz and Urijah Faber was a classic, providing fight fans with countless memories. While the outside the Octagon antics were exciting, the blows they exchanged inside were even more impressive. At UFC 199 in 2016, Cruz scored a decision over Faber in the final meeting between the two, defending his title for the last time.
1. Reclaiming the belt he never lost
Injuries forced Dominick Cruz to vacate the bantamweight title in 2014, three years after he had last defended it. In 2016, he stepped back inside the Octagon with TJ Dillashaw and reclaimed the belt, winning a split decision at UFC Fight Night from Boston.
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