Dominick Cruz was the final WEC bantamweight champion and the first UFC champion at 135 pounds. He beat Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53 in 2010 and defended his UFC belt against Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson. His footwork changed constantly, switching stances and angles to get his punches and takedowns off without standing still in front of his opponent.

Knee injuries and repeated surgeries kept him out for years and cost him the belt. He returned in 2014 and stopped Takeya Mizugaki in 61 seconds, then tore the ACL in his other knee. In 2016 he came back again and beat T.J. Dillashaw over five rounds to take the title back.

Cruz was on the Metal Mulisha fight team during the WEC to UFC transition. We released his signature tee while he was defending the bantamweight championship. He retired from fighting in 2025.