Las Vegas – UFC® today announced that former UFC and WEC® bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as a member of the Class of 2026. The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place this summer, honoring one of the most influential fighters in bantamweight history.
“Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest bantamweights in combat sports history,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “Dominick was an amazing athlete who set the standard for bantamweights, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
Cruz becomes the 17th athlete inducted into the Modern Wing, which recognizes fighters who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000, the date of the first UFC event held under the unified rules of MMA. Eligibility requirements include a minimum age of 35 or retirement from competition for at least one year.
Over a remarkable 17-year professional MMA career, Cruz competed in 28 bouts, compiling an outstanding record of 24-4, including a 14-2 mark across UFC and WEC competition. His resume features signature victories over UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, and former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles.
Cruz made his professional debut on January 29, 2005, earning a split-decision victory and going on to win his first nine fights across multiple promotions. That run led to a WEC featherweight title opportunity against Urijah Faber at WEC® 26: Condit vs. Alessio on March 24, 2007. Though Cruz suffered a first-round submission loss in his WEC debut, he rebounded impressively, returning one year later with a first-round victory in another organization.
Rejoining the WEC, Cruz rattled off four consecutive bantamweight wins to secure a title shot against undefeated champion Brian Bowles. Their matchup headlined WEC® 47: Bowles vs. Cruz on March 6, 2010, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio—Cruz’s first professional main event. From the opening bell, Cruz showcased his trademark speed, footwork, and movement, overwhelming Bowles with sharp punches and low kicks. After two dominant rounds, Cruz was declared the new WEC bantamweight champion when Bowles was unable to continue due to a broken right hand.
Cruz went on to win his next seven fights over six years, defending the WEC bantamweight title twice and making history by becoming the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion. He captured the UFC belt by defeating Scott Jorgensen in the co-main event of WEC® 53: Henderson vs. Pettis—the final event in WEC history and the only time a UFC title fight took place at a non-UFC event.
After losing the UFC bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC® 207: Nunes vs. Rousey, Cruz won two of his final four bouts. He officially retired in February 2025, two and a half years after his final appearance, a main-event loss to Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC® on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz.
Cruz enters the UFC Hall of Fame with a list of accomplishments that underscore his legacy, including the longest title reign in UFC bantamweight history at 1,117 days, the most title fight wins in UFC/WEC bantamweight history with seven, and a share of the most wins in UFC/WEC bantamweight history with 14. He also ranks among the division’s leaders in takedowns landed (55) and strikes landed (1,590).
Outside the Octagon, Cruz has earned widespread recognition for both his resilience and his insight. He was named Fighter of the Year by USA Today in 2010 and Comeback Fighter of the Year in 2014 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. As a broadcaster, Cruz has been equally decorated, earning Analyst of the Year honors in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
A native of San Diego, California, Cruz began wrestling in the seventh grade at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona. He now serves as a combat sports analyst and resides in San Diego, continuing to shape the sport through his expertise and perspective.
With his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Dominick Cruz’s impact on mixed martial arts—defined by innovation, longevity, and championship excellence—is permanently enshrined among the sport’s all-time greats.
