One of the best bantamweights to enter the octagon is now set to enter the UFC Hall of Fame.
Dominick Cruz is on his way to the Hall of Fame as the first fighter named as part of the Class of 2026, the UFC announced on Saturday at UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett.
He’ll be inducted into the Hall’s Modern Wing, and the induction will take place this summer. He’ll become the 17th fighter to enter as a member of the Modern Wing, which includes athletes who turned pro on or after Nov. 17, 2000.
“Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest bantamweights in combat sports history,” UFC president and CEO Dana White said in a press release. “Dominick was an amazing athlete who set the standard for bantamweights, and it will be an honour to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
Over his 17-year professional MMA career, Cruz had 28 fights, compiling a record of 24-4 (14-2 in UFC). He had two notable title defences against fellow Hall-of-Famer Urijah Faber at UFC 132 and 199, and won five straight title fights between Dec. 2010 and June 2016.
He holds the record for longest title reign in UFC bantamweight history (1,117 days), most title fight wins in UFC/WEC history (seven) and is tied for most wins in UFC/WEC history (14).
Cruz debuted in 2005 at Rage in the Cage 67, and took part in his first title fight in March, 2007 at WEC 26 against Faber — his lone loss to the California Kid. His final fight was a loss to Marlon Vera on Aug. 13, 2022, before officially retiring in Feb. 2025.
