Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Pound-for-Pound Men

10a. Dominick Cruz

The greatest bantamweight ever just barely makes this list. I had him slightly higher at eighth, but it's understandable why he is placed here. Injuries precluded Cruz from even more great victories and perfecting his unique style further. Still, Cruz has the best footwork and movement in MMA history, positively pioneering optimal technique in that area, as well as being one of the first fighters to switch stances effectively. Moreover, he is perhaps the most brilliant martial artist in the sport's history, not only in terms of executing game plans and making smart decisions during a fight, but with his preparation and the development of his skills. Lastly, Cruz has some of the greatest cardio the sport has ever seen, a necessity for his energy-intensive style. From the time Urijah Faber submitted him by guillotine in a bout for the WEC featherweight championship in 2007 until his loss to Cody Garbrandt two days before the start of 2017, no one could solve the riddle of how to beat him. That was a period during which Cruz went a perfect 13-0 at bantamweight, including a mind-numbing 7-0 in World Extreme Cagefighting or Ultimate Fighting Championship title matches. In that insane, nearly decade-long run, Cruz defeated one top opponent after another: Ian McCall, Joseph Benavidez (then undefeated), knocking out Brian Bowles (then undefeated) for the WEC crown, beating Benavidez again in a re-match, Scott Jorgenson, Urijah Faber twice, easily dominating possibly the greatest fighter ever in Demetrious Johnson, knocking out Takeya Mizugaki and finally his sensational victory against reigning champion TJ Dillashaw. Finally, Cruz was solved by Cody Garbrandt, a man with a style seemingly tailor-made to beat him, having perfect takedown defense and perhaps the best boxing in MMA history, including lightning-fast hands, power in both fists and fine footwork of his own. It says a lot that a fighter plagued by so many injuries is still one of the very greatest champions MMA has ever seen.

Continue Reading » Number 9