Sherdog’s Top 10: Longest Major MMA Title Reigns

Mike SloanJan 06, 2016

10. Dominick Cruz | UFC Bantamweight -- 1,117 Days

There is no telling how many consecutive days “The Dominator” would have spent as bantamweight champion, but several injuries and recovery setbacks eventually forced the UFC to strip the Alliance MMA rep of his title. Cruz barely lost a round during his reign, establishing himself as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best.

Cruz captured World Extreme Cagefighting gold at WEC 47 and successfully defended the title against Joseph Benavidez and Scott Jorgensen before the organization merged with the UFC and made him champion there. He maintained his hold on the 135-pound throne by toppling Urijah Faber and then Demetrious Johnson before tearing his ACL in training.

After two reconstructive knee surgeries, Cruz appeared to be ready to return. However, a torn groin forced him out of a unification bout with interim champion Renan Barao, leading him to vacate his title. Since defeating Johnson on Oct. 1, 2011, Cruz has fought only once -- a sensational first-round knockout of Takeya Mizugaki in September 2014. Following the victory, he suffered an ACL tear to his other knee. Now 30, Cruz will face current bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw in January, provided his body cooperates.

Number 9 » Ben Askren