The UFC made official what many within the MMA community have long expected, Dominick Cruz, the revolutionary bantamweight champion who fundamentally transformed the game’s bantamweight division, has been chosen for induction into the UFC Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2026.
Dominick Cruz has been announced as the primary inductee of the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame 🫡#UFC324 | BUY NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/fBujngVTdI pic.twitter.com/hpg2rf4NaQ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 25, 2026
The announcement, delivered via broadcast on UFC programming, arrives as a fitting capstone to the legendary profession of certainly one of combat sports’ most technically gifted athletes. Cruz’s induction into the Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing recognizes not only his two UFC bantamweight championships but additionally his profound impact on the evolution of MMA itself—a legacy that transcends belt accomplishments.
Cruz didn’t simply hold championship belts; he established the blueprint for elite bantamweight excellence, combining footwork that few in the game could replicate with a fight IQ that appeared to operate on a distinct frequency than his opposition.
2 Minutes and a Little bit of former UFC and WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz Dominating the competition!
135 is one of the crucial exciting divisions in the game today and @DominickCruz will be thanked for putting the Bantamweights on the map! pic.twitter.com/cKCW4d9RSx
— The Honest Jones Fan🦆 (@SmackdownLayer) February 6, 2025
What makes Cruz’s induction particularly compelling is the journey that preceded it. The bantamweight legend returned from career-threatening injuries to prove himself once more among the many world’s elite—a comeback that resonated far beyond his individual accomplishments. His ability to beat adversity and reclaim his position at the game’s apex demonstrated the mental fortitude that defined his entire profession.
During his prime, Cruz dismantled a succession of elite competition with a striking system predicated on footwork precision and elusive movement. His mastery of distance and timing earned him respect from peers and evaluation from broadcasters and coaches for years after his retirement. Few fighters have executed their craft with the technical sophistication that Cruz consistently displayed.
The Class of 2026 induction ceremony will happen later within the 12 months, where Cruz will officially join the pantheon of combat sports greats—a spot many imagine he’s occupied for the reason that moment he stepped away from competition. His influence on the bantamweight division stays evident today, as current fighters proceed to attract inspiration from the technical standards he established.
For a fighter who spent his profession proving doubters fallacious—who carried a chip on his shoulder through battles with the game’s finest—the Hall of Fame recognition serves as vindication. Not that Cruz needed validation; his legacy was already secured throughout the octagon. But now it’s official: Dominick Cruz is a UFC Hall of Famer.