Dominick Cruz

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Dominick Cruz is celebrated as one of the greatest bantamweights in MMA history. He became the first UFC bantamweight champion and held the title twice. His comeback win over T.J. Dillashaw in 2016 is often called the greatest comeback in MMA history. Fight Matrix ranked him the #1 bantamweight of all time. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2026, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of the division.

AwardsCruz won the WEC Bantamweight Championship and the inaugural UFC Bantamweight Championship, defending the latter twice. He received Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. In 2016, he was named Comeback Fighter of the Year by ESPN and won Comeback of the Year at the World MMA Awards. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2026.

Honours & Distinctions

UFC Hall of Fame

UFC·2026

Inducted into the Modern Era wing.

Fight Matrix #1 Bantamweight of All Time

Fight Matrix·2016

Ranked as the top bantamweight in MMA history.

Rankings & Lists

Best Bantamweight of All Time

Fight Matrix·2016

Best Bantamweight of All Time

UFC·2026

Best Bantamweight of All Time

ESPN·2020

Best Bantamweight of All Time

MMA Junkie·2021

Magazine Covers

ESPN The Magazine

February 2016

The Comeback

MMA Weekly

March 2016

Dominick Cruz: The Dominator

Sports Illustrated

January 2016

The Return of Cruz

Records & Feats

First UFC Bantamweight Champion

Historic First·2010

Cruz became the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion on December 16, 2010.

Greatest Comeback in MMA History

Career Milestone·2016

After nearly four years of injuries, Cruz returned to defeat T.J. Dillashaw and regain the UFC bantamweight title in 2016.