“Dominator” is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
During the UFC 324 broadcast last night (Sat., Jan. 24, 2025), the promotion announced that former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will be going into the Hall of Fame (HOF) later this year during International Fight Week.
Check out the package that the promotion put together.
Cruz (24-4) is largely considered the greatest Bantamweight of all time — and that’s even with him being extremely cursed with injuries that derailed a lot of his career and most of his prime.
“Dominator” began his MMA career in 2005, fighting for Rage in the Cage in Arizona. After going undefeated (9-0), he signed with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and immediately challenged for the promotion’s Featherweight championship.
Cruz lost his WEC debut, getting submitted by his future long-time rival, Urijah Faber, but he dropped down to Bantamweight and eventually claimed WEC’s Bantamweight belt.
Cruz eventually dropped the 135-pound belt to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 via unanimous decision, thanks to “No Love” having the performance of a lifetime.
Cruz’s legacy as the first Bantamweight champion and his unique fight style are cemented forever, and he absolutely deserves his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Here are some of his stats per a UFC press release.
Expect more Hall of Fame announcements in the coming months.
For complete UFC 324 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.