UFC on Versus 6: Cruz vs. Johnson | 2011.10.01 | Washington, D.C. Discussion
Main Event | UFC Bantamweight Championship | 135 lbs
Dominick Cruz defeats Demetrious Johnson via 5 Round Decision
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Cruz
Decision
Round 5
Dominick Cruz Demetrious Johnson
"The Dominator" "Mighty Mouse"
18-1-0 | Pro Record At Fight | 14-1-0 | ||
Climbed to 19-1 | Record After Fight | Fell to 14-2 | ||
-560 (Heavy Favorite) | Betting Odds | +415 (Heavy Underdog) | ||
Champion | Title | Challenger | ||
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Nationality |
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San Diego, California | Fighting out of | Kirkland, Washington | ||
26 years, 6 months, 3 weeks, 1 day | Age at Fight | 25 years, 1 month, 2 weeks, 4 days | ||
135.0 lbs (61.2 kgs) | Weigh-In Result | 135.0 lbs (61.2 kgs) | ||
5'8" (173cm) | Height | 5'3" (161cm) | ||
68.0" (173cm) | Reach | 66.0" (168cm) | ||
Alliance MMA | Gym | AMC Pankration |

- Bout Information
- Event: UFC on Versus 6: Cruz vs. Johnson
- Date: Saturday 10.01.2011 at 09:00 PM ET
- Referee: Kevin Mulhall
- Venue: Verizon Center
- Enclosure: Octagon
- Location: Washington, D.C., United States
- Bout Billing: Main Event (fight 10 of 10)
- Pro/Am: Professional
- Weight: 135 lbs (61.2 kg)
- TV Commentary: Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan
- Broadcast: Aired Live on Main Card
- Post-Fight Interviewer: Joe Rogan
- Cruz Total Disclosed Pay: None Disclosed
- Johnson Total Disclosed Pay: None Disclosed
- Title on Line: UFC Bantamweight Championship
- Belt Status Before Fight: Held by Cruz
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Event Links:
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Bout Links:
Cruz vs. Johnson Wiki Update Wiki
The main event of UFC on Versus 6 featured Dominick "The Dominator" Cruz defending his bantamweight title against Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson. The bout represented the first time that a UFC belt would be up for grabs on the Versus channel, though the Zuffa-owned WEC organization held numerous bantamweight title fights on the channel. Three of those title fights featured Cruz, until the organization was folded into the UFC. Cruz came into the bout with an 18-1 overall MMA record, including having avenged his only career loss in his most recent title defense by defeating Urijah Faber. Johnson earned the title shot with a 9-1 overall record and was 4-1 in combined UFC and WEC bantamweight action.
Cruz came out and landed the first strike of the fight with a low kick. The smaller Johnson pressed the action, darting in, shooting for a takedown but getting stuffed. Cruz flung Johnson with a hip throw and worked on top, making his way to side control. Johnson regained half-guard and then butterfly guard, then made his way up to his feet. Cruz ducked a head kick, tripped Johnson to the mat, and had to quickly defend a leglock attempt from Johnson. Cruz had to fight off a takedown a few moments later and seemed to be having some level of difficulty with Johnson's speed.
Johnson darted in and caught Cruz with a kick, though Cruz utilized impressive wrestling to bring Johnson down. Back standing Cruz landed a few good strikes but not with the same ease as he had done in some prior fights. The next two minutes were spent battling in the clinch against the fence, separating with Cruz barely missing on a knee to the head. Cruz connected on an uppercut and Johnson missed with a flying knee. Cruz utilized a whizzer to defend a takedown and closed out the round on top with Johnson partially stacked against the fence.
Johnson landed a nice right hand a minute into the third round, though to this point it was not a fight filled with significant damage on either fighter. Cruz took Johnson's back standing and executed a beautiful German suplex, moving quickly to flatten out Johnson. Cruz slipped in a rear naked choke, spun over and Johnson escaped, able to keep the arm from going fully under his chin. Cruz still had position and went for the choke again, but Johnson's defense was tight as he never fully gave up his neck and scrambled up to his feet. Cruz quickly had another takedown, into Johnson's guard with a minute remaining. Johnson made his way up and the round closed in the clinch.
Cruz took the center of the Octagon in the fourth round but ate a leg kick. Cruz landed a good leg kick and jab. Cruz pulled Johnson down for takedown and passed to full mount. Johnson expertly regained guard and then made his way up to his feet, but at this point in the fight was in danger of losing on points. Cruz landed another takedown with thirty seconds left, couldn't hold Johnson down, and the round ended with a couple more flurries.
The fighters touched hands in the fifth round and then Cruz ducked under a high kick. A few moments later Cruz was able to land another brilliant-looking suplex. Johnson immediately scrambled into having guard and slowly made his way backwards up to the cage. Johnson stood and was able to separate. Cruz looked for a hip throw, but Johnson had good enough balance to avoid being put on his back and bounced up. Another hip throw from Cruz with the same result. Cruz landed another takedown, moved to full mount and took Johnson's back. Johnson made his way to his feet and ate a big knee from Cruz. A final takedown from Cruz against the determined but out-gunned Demetrious Johnson.
The judges scored the fight 50-45, 49-46, and 50-45 for the winner by unanimous decision, Dominick Cruz. Speaking to Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview, Cruz commented, "I've been putting in a lot of work, did two camps back to back, it was a tough fight, the kid puts in a sick pace... he didn't surprise me, I was ready for a wicked grind, a wicked pace, and I just had to slow down the fight and use my size... I wanted to show a little bit of my grappling in this fight, I had the choke in deep... he was gurgling, he just toughed it out, that's what happens when you're fighting the best in the world."
Rogan also spoke with Johnson, who commented, "I give my hat off to Dominick, he's a great champion, he was stronger than I thought... I was just surprised at how strong he was, on the feet I felt comfortable... he's a good champion... he was ready for everything."
Cruz vs. Johnson Fight Predictions
Cruz vs. Johnson Fighter Tweets
If fighters from this bout were talking on Twitter before or after the fight, this is where you can find it. Below are all the Tweets we've recorded near the date of the bout.
- "@famoussas: The Champs @paulwallbaby & @TheDomin8r chillin @ufcfanexpo http://t.co/YF5kPMyK"holdin it down wit the peoples champ!!
- 5 days, 1 hour, and 34 minutes
- after
- @TWooodley @EricDelFierro lol! Sure does!the base from that boombox r unreal;)! That's my ish Right there! Haha
- 4 days, 22 hours, and 41 minutes
- after
- Watching the movie "The Thing" best movie ever can't wait for the prequel movie is gna be sick :-)
- 4 days, 8 hours, and 32 minutes
- after
- Support the people that support the fighters! Follow @WestCoastAuth plus LIKE them on Facebook http://t.co/aqHmRyUF <http://t.co/aqHmRyUF>
- 3 days, 6 hours, and 15 minutes
- after
- I will be at @ufcfanexpo signing @UFC booth & @famoussas booth. Plus im hosting party Friday with @famoussas @AllianceMMA & @paulwallbaby
- 2 days, 21 hours, and 42 minutes
- after
- Show my sponsor @WestCoastAuth some love and follow them on Twitter. Check out my signed stuff on their website http://t.co/T2dXRSwx
- 2 days, 5 hours, and 40 minutes
- after
- Good news just got x-rays cheek not broken just got deep tissue bruise on the cheek. Gna rest and go visit fam bam with @littletexas5387
- 2 days, 3 hours, and 43 minutes
- after
- .@TWooodley @EricDelFierro lmao! U speak the truth wat more can I say?...except ur head was bobbin 2 the beats right nxt 2 us! Haha
- 1 day, 21 hours, and 58 minutes
- after
- @TWooodley @EricDelFierro lol! Gotta do wat u gotta do sometimes main! Haha
- 1 day, 9 hours, and 49 minutes
- after
- Ok so I have a lot of improvements to make to keep winning, little break then back 2 learning! Thnx 4 all the support:-)
- 23 hours and 7 minutes
- after
- Thanks to all my fans, supporters, my family @EternalFireMMA ,@littletexas5387 @UFC and @xbox I will be back :-) #teammighty
- 19 hours and 42 minutes
- after
- RT @victorsotelo: @TheDomin8r Awesome fight.you still gonna be at the expo with your broken hand?? Yes sir
- 18 hours and 46 minutes
- after
- RT @PhilMrWonderful: Dear @danawhite and @UFC maybe along with the fotn award we could Implement something (cont) http://t.co/idaYVu9V
- 10 hours and 49 minutes
- after
- Bout to head to the Verizon center its game time baby WAR!!! #Teammighty
- 1 hour and 33 minutes
- after
- RT @EricDelFierroOFFCIAL AFTR party @mikeeastonmma @famoussas @paulwallbaby @EricDelFierro @AllianceMMA @UFC @UFCLatino http://t.co/IYGsb7Y6
- 2 hours and 30 minutes
- before
- "@tgerbasi: Dominick Cruz and The Art of Perpetual Motion - http://t.co/GelFidAs @UFC #UFC #MMA @TheDomin8r"LOVING IT!
- 1 day, 6 hours, and 33 minutes
- before
- Thanks. RT @GunStoreChris: Wishing you all our best this Saturday @TheDomin8r you will be triumphant!
- 1 day, 15 hours, and 8 minutes
- before
- RT @EricDelFierro: Official @TheDomin8r @Famoussas @Paulwallbaby @travisbarker http://t.co/IKgv6hsq
- 1 day, 21 hours, and 23 minutes
- before
- "@EricDelFierro: Official @TheDomin8r @Famoussas @Paulwallbaby @travisbarker http://t.co/IKgv6hsq"make sure n roll out people!
- 1 day, 21 hours, and 23 minutes
- before
- ..@travisbrowneMMA congrats on ur win homie n handling ur bizznass!!
- 1 day, 21 hours, and 54 minutes
- before
- RT @danawhite: The Ultimate Fighter ep 2 airs tonight at 10pm on Spike TV! Most exciting weightclasses in @UFC
- 2 days, 20 hours, and 18 minutes
- before
- I gotta winner for the @UFC @danawhite giveaway and he knows who's gonna dominate Saturday night @verizoncenter http://t.co/UGg9L6po
- 3 days and 41 minutes
- before
- "@travisbarker: @TheDomin8r #LETSGO CHAMP!Seein' all the training videos.So focused & determined.Lookin' great homie!"thnx ready 2 go homes!
- 3 days, 21 hours, and 4 minutes
- before
- Just got to dc!...man its humid! Some Gr8 weight cut weather though on the bright side! Ha
- 3 days, 21 hours, and 9 minutes
- before
- "@UFCtoday: Fan made trailer @MightyMouseUFC & @TheDomin8r #UFC Versus 6 (http://t.co/kalrW6C9) ready 2 go!
- 4 days and 39 minutes
- before
- I appreciate n am REALY feelin the luv n support leading up 2this fight!THANX SO MUCH EVERY1!Im more than ready 2entertain! G'night people:)
- 4 days, 14 hours, and 55 minutes
- before
- "@DamonMartin:MMAWeekly Radio listen now wit Dominick Cruz and Alexis Vila http://t.co/W89LUA44 #MMA #UFC @TheDomin8r @BellatorMMA"listen up
- 4 days, 19 hours, and 47 minutes
- before
- Happy bday 2 my boy @PhilMrWonderful hittin the big 27... man that many candles would set the cake on fire!;) haha
- 5 days, 23 hours, and 20 minutes
- before
- BIG UPS and CONGRATZ go out to my boy @Galvaobjj 4winning both his division + the absolute division @abu dhabi this weekend!U da man Galvao!
- 6 days and 59 minutes
- before
- so im in the last week of camp 2day!Feeling REAL HUNGRY bout now,but its all Guna b worth it!I often say 2 myself..."HOW BAD DO U WANT IT"!!
- 6 days, 20 hours, and 25 minutes
- before
- "@paulwallbaby: @TheDomin8r @slimthugga I got u homie! After u win OCT 1st we'll bring u in the studio"ur getting me all pumped up!
- 1 week, 1 day, 20 hours, and 39 minutes
- before
- Grubbing @benihanas wit the @AllianceMMA crew celebrating @PhilMrWonderful birthday! The mans getting old! ;) ha http://t.co/XMW8wqFG
- 1 week, 2 days, 14 hours, and 43 minutes
- before