San Diego’s Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz is Being Honored by the San Diego Hall of Champions as 2011 Professional Star of the Year

The San Diego Hall of Champions’ 66th Annual Salute to the Champions presented by the Robert & Lillie Breitbard Foundation will be held at the Town and Country Resort Hotel’s Grand Exhibit Hall on February 15, 2012. The event inducts the Breitbard Hall of Fame Class for 2012, and honors Amateur and Professional Stars of the Year, the Challenged Athlete of the Year, and the Stars of the Month. The dinner annually attracts a crowd of more than 1,000 San Diego sports fans. The Hall of Champions recognizes amateur, collegiate and professional sports excellence of San Diego’s athletes. Breitbard Hall of Famers include Marshall Faulk (2009), Tony Gwynn (2002) and Tony Hawk (2002) among others.

66th Annual Salute to the Champions
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Reception 5:00 p.m.
Dinner and Program 6:15 p.m.
Business Attire
-Grand Exhibit Hall-
Town and Country Resort & Convention Center

2011 Professional Stars of the Year
Rachel Buehler, Soccer
Dominick Cruz, MMA
J.J. Killeen, Golf
Cameron Maybin, Baseball
Arian Foster, Football
Adrian Gonzales, Baseball
Eric Weddle, Football
Shaun White, Action Sports

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UFC Champion Dominick Cruz Talks about the Future of the UFC in Mexico

UFC bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz talks to MexicoToday about why he thinks Mexico is ready for mixed martial arts and the UFC. Cruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense.

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UFC Champion Dominick Cruz explains how Mexican food improves training.

UFC on Versus 6: Dominick Cruz explains which Mexican foods he eats to improve his training. Cruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense. For more visit MexicoToday.org and follow us on Twitter @MexicoToday.

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UFC Champion Dominick Cruz Hates Cutting Out Mexican Food

Dominick Cruz Tells MexicoToday What Mexican Foods He Hates to Cut Out During Training for UFC on Versus 6. Cruz defeated Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6, his second UFC title defense.

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Exclusive Interview with UFC Champion, Dominick Cruz

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz spoke with MexicoToday prior to his October 1 fight with Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus 6. In our exclusive interview, Dominick Cruz talks about his path to the UFC, his fans, and why Latinos are emerging as top tier competitors in mixed martial arts.

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Dominick Cruz hand injury will require surgery | SB Nation - Jesse Holland

UFC on Versus 6, which emanated from the Verizon Center on Oct. 1, 2011, in Washington, D.C., featured a championship fight on free television for the first time since 2007 with bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz putting his belt on the line against Demetrious Johnson.

They may have been forgotten by the promotion in terms of marketing and lacked any clear and present hype, but the fight was almost guaranteed to deliver excitement. And that's exactly what it did. Cruz and Johnson battled back-and-forth for five long rounds, gutting their way through an absolute war of attrition that ultimately saw Cruz retain his title -- and suffer a broken hand in the process. "The Dominator" tells ESPN that he has no options outside of surgery:

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Dominick Cruz Defends UFC Title; Breaks Hand | Fox News Latino

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz said last week that he wanted to showcase what the 135 lb. division was all about, which was “non-stop action.”

In the end he and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson did just that at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

The fighters went five rounds Saturday night, which included a lot of punching, knee strikes, submission attempts, slams and even a suplex.

Johnson set the pace early with lighting fast moves and quick kicks and punches, however it wasn’t enough as “The Dominator” showcased his wrestling and controlled the majority of the bout with it.

Cruz followed his game plan and proved why he is at the top at 135 pounds, winning unanimously by decision.
“Tonight I proved why I’m the best in the world in my weight class,”said Cruz. “I’m willing to take on anyone the UFC puts in front of me and continue to show why I am the best.”

His opponent also echoed that statement and addressed his future in the division.
“Dominick showed why he was the champ tonight,” said Johnson. “I’m going to take this experience and come back a better fighter.”

After the fight, Cruz told Fox News Latino that he had broken his hand and that he would take some time to heal before thinking about his next battle.

“I got to look at…see how these next fights go. See how my hand heals up… Get it fixed, it’s broken,” said Cruz. “I just want whoever is next in line, I just want to keep winning.”

Many expect his next opponent to be the winner of the upcoming Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles match-up. Cruz has defeated both of those men in the past.

Cruz seems comfortable with who he is as a fighter and also commented on whether or not he was respected enough by fans and analysts.

“That’s not something I can worry about,” said Cruz. “All I can do is keep fighting, keep winning, keep putting on good shows and hope that people can learn to love me.”

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Full Card Preview of UFC on Versus 6

Main Card
Dominick Cruz vs. Demetrious Johnson (for UFC Bantamweight title)
Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve (HW)
Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman (WW)
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman (LW)

Preliminary Card
Yves Edwards vs. Rafaello Oliveira (LW)
Michael Johnson vs. Paul Sass (LW)
Mike Easton vs. Jeff Hougland (BW)
Shane Roller vs. T.J. Grant (LW)
Josh Neer vs. Keith Wisniewski (WW)
Walel Watson vs. Joseph Sandoval (BW)

This Saturday, the UFC lands at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. for UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson (Versus, 9 p.m. ET). In the main event, bantamweight championDominick Cruz — who has virtually swept the 135-pound division with eight consecutive victories dating back to his time in the WEC — will take on wrestling specialist Demetrious Johnson, whose four-fight win streak includes recent decisions over Miguel Torres and Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto. Their styles may be different but they both bring a relentless pace for every minute of their fights. Will Mighty Mouse be able to hang with the world’s best bantamweight in the first five-rounder of his career?

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Dominick Cruz Enjoys Cruising in a Honda Civic | Via 5thround.com

Nick Diaz might be desperately trying to upgrade his rickety old Honda, but UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is perfectly happy cruising around town in his Civic.

Cruz has stumbled upon greater riches since donning Octagon gold, but he fully understands money doesn’t grow on trees – especially in a sport as fickle as mixed martial arts. As far as Cruz is concerned, a dollar saved is a dollar earned.

“You’re always one fight away from being forgotten, in my opinion,” Cruz stated on Monday’s media call. “The only thing people remember is your last fight. So it’s very hard to go out there and buy all kinds of stuff, be driving this awesome car, have all kinds of stuff going on and have all these bills.

“I’d rather just keep my life the way it is. I live very cheap. That way, God forbid, I bust my eye socket and I can’t fight for a year, I don’t have a stack full of bills I gotta pay without income coming in … I’m driving a Honda Civic.”

Cruz was promoted to the big leagues after the collapse of World Extreme Cagefighting at the end of 2010. His WEC bantamweight title was immediately upgraded to a UFC crown, but outside of that, it’s been business as usual for “The Dominator.”

“I really didn’t change my life that much,” Cruz admitted. “The only thing that has changed is that I get recognized a little bit more because I’m fighting on the biggest stage on the planet, being the UFC for MMA. And [I get] a little bit more respect here and there. God has blessed me, so I am happy with it.”

Cruz defends his title against Demetrious Johnson at “UFC on Versus 6.” If he protects his belt anything like he does his bank account, then Johnson is in for world of trouble this Saturday.

Written by Tom Ngo

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Dominick Cruz Training Blog Part 1 of 5

Dominick Cruz shares his exclusive training diary as he prepares for UFC Live 6. Watch UFC Live on Versus October 1st at 9 p.m. ET.

Read it here

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UFC sends Dominick Cruz and Charlie Brenneman to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia

Being a UFC fighter is tough.

Being a kid from the streets of Philly is tougher. That's why Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had a greater mission when it arrived in "The City of Brotherly Love" for its UFC 133 pay-per-view event on August 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ESPN.com has the details:

Dominick Cruz, the UFC bantamweight champion, and Charlie Brenneman, a fast-rising welterweight contender, were chauffeured into Wilson Park Apartments Complex on Friday morning to sample life inside a different cage. They were preaching from the fight gospel, and the message was heard by some 150 teenagers.

It was self-evident that the likes of Cruz and Brenneman, who might not be the ideal role models for the kids who sat -- pretty patiently -- listening and asking questions, have the facility to engage with alacrity. Their effect on the real role models -- the 16- and 17-year-old "senior" kids in the project -- is what really counts from this visit.

The summer camp is run by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. Wilson Park is one of 11 units in the city of Philadelphia. The kids who come during the schools’ summer break are between 7 and 18 years old.

Credit: ESPN and mmamania.com 

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UFC on Versus 6 headed to Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.: Dominick Cruz Headlines

UFC on Versus 6, which takes place Oct. 1 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., airs live on Versus with a championship headliner between bantamweight titleholder Dominick Cruz and challenger Demetrious Johnson.

The latest UFC on Versus 6 card includes:
Champ Dominick Cruz vs. Demetrious Johnson (for bantamweight title)
Charlie Brenneman vs. Anthony Johnson
Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman
T.J. Grant vs. Shane Roller
Yves Edwards vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Michael Johnson vs. Paul Sass
Mike Easton vs. Jeff Hougland

The Verizon Center is a 20,000-seat venue that opened in 1997. Tenants include the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals, among others. The venue sometimes is referred to informally as the "Phone Booth."

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Cruz open to future superfight with Jose Aldo

After taking the unanimous decision from Urijah Faber, Dominick Cruz has invited his recently defeated opponent to join him in a trilogy-completing rubber match (Faber submitted Cruz in 2007).

"I'm not gonna turn down a rubber match like that," Cruz told MMA30. "Faber gave me a good fight, he tested me a little bit, but I still got the unanimous decision and I know I can beat him nine out of ten times."

Cruz also let Dana White know that he would be open to a clash with Jose Aldo, although chances are we would not see this fight for awhile. A fight with Jose Aldo would arguably be the biggest fight for the MMA promotion giant since UFC 100. Cruz expressed his willingness to take any contender after his win on Saturday.

"I'm not gonna turn down a fight with Jose Aldo," he said. "Man if they pay me enough money I'll fight anybody at heavyweight - I'll just run around like a chicken!"

Next up for the bantamweight champion will be Brian Bowles or Demetrious Johnson

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UFC 132 Post-fight Press Conference Highlight: Cruz vs Faber

Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber had a closely contested fight at UFC 132. Cruz came out on top with a unanimous decision in the second meeting with Faber. The fight could have gone to either corner and I would expect to see these two matchup again soon for the rubber match. Watch the video below to see how each fighter felt about their performance.

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UFC 132 Preview with Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz looks to avenge his only loss and protect his belt from Urijah Faber. Plus, Wanderlei Silva and Chris Leben meet in a slugfest for the ages. Watch UFC 132: Cruz vs Faber Live on Pay-Per-View or www.UFC.tv on Saturday, July 2nd at 6/9pm PT/ET.

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