Cruz was expected to face Urijah Faber for a third time for the UFC bantamweight championship after Faber defeated Brian Bowles at UFC 139 in a bantamweight title eliminator bout. Cruz broke his right hand in the first round. Ĭruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense.
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. Ī rematch with Urijah Faber took place on July 2, 2011, at UFC 132 being the first defense of the new UFC Bantamweight title. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Ultimate Fighting Championship Bantamweight Championship Cruz defeated Jorgensen via unanimous decision to retain the WEC Bantamweight Championship and become the first UFC Bantamweight Champion. 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. Cruz would later defeat Benavidez again via split decision.Ĭruz faced Scott Jorgensen on December 16, 2010, at WEC 53 for both the WEC Bantamweight Championship and the newly created UFC Bantamweight Championship. The bout was a rematch of their contest at WEC 42, in which Cruz handed Benavidez his first career loss, via decision. Ĭruz made his first title defense against Joseph Benavidez on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50. Cruz became the new WEC Bantamweight Champion. Bowles was unable to continue after the second round after breaking his hand. Ĭruz defeated Brian Bowles via TKO (doctor stoppage) on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors. He would then make his debut for the WEC’s 135 lb bantamweight division on June 7, 2008, at WEC 34 defeating Charlie Valencia by unanimous decision.Ĭruz went on to take decision victories against Ian McCall on January 25, 2009, at WEC 38 and April 5, 2009, Ivan Lopez at WEC 40.Ĭruz defeated Joseph Benavidez on August 9, 2009, at WEC 42 by unanimous decision. The fight would become the beginning of a longstanding cantankerous rivalry between the two.ĭominick Cruz after retaining his WEC Bantamweight Championship at WEC 50 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 amassed a record of 9-0 before joining World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
#Dominick cruz professional
Mixed martial arts career Early careerĬruz began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in 2005, competing in the Rage in the Cage and Total Combat organizations. In addition to fighting, Cruz is an MMA analyst for Fox Sports. He worked as a customer service representative at Lowe’s home improvement store #1707, and was studying to be a firefighter at community college before becoming a full-time fighter. He attended Flowing Wells High School, and competed in amateur wrestling. He lived with his single mother, grandmother and brother in a trailer park in Tucson for most of his childhood.
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