Omar de la Cruz
Encyclopedia
Jesús Omar de la Cruz, or simply Omar de la Cruz, (born November 5, 1979 in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
) is a Dominican
professional
mixed martial artist
. Cruz is most known for his stint in Bellator Fighting Championships
, fighting in its welterweight division.
, and has been practicing the Korean martial art for 16 years, competing mostly in full-contact competitions. In 2001 he was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
, rising steadily to the rank of Brown Belt under Dominican 1st degree black belt Abraham Tabar.
Cruz currently trains at his own gym, Fight Training Academy
in his hometown of Santo Domingo, the only mixed martial arts gym in the country. Omar also acts as instructor in four other gyms. Omar had his first professional mixed martial arts bout on March 10, 2007, at the event Alianza Nacional Full Contact against Team ROC's Seth Horn, winning the fight via submission.
On August 29, 2009, Omar de la Cruz was promoted to brown belt under his instructor, Abraham Tabar.
and is competing in their welterweight division. Cruz is participating in the tournament that began on April 10, 2009. Omar's first opponent was the previously undefeated Victor Meza
, who was coming in on a nine-fight undefeated winning streak. Cruz won via unanimous decision after dominating in all three rounds.
Cruz's second fight for Bellator would be against former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne
, the fighter with the most extensive background Cruz would face to the date. The fight was a semi-final bout in the tournament and took place at Bellator 7. Omar traveled to California
to train with personal friend, Brandon Vera
in preparation for the match. The bout began with Menne rushing in on Cruz, clinching and eventually landing on top after a takedown. Omar worked to his guard, effectively defending punches coming from the top. Managing to get to his feet some moments later, Omar landed a straight on Menne's chin sending him to the canvas. Menne worked butterfly guard, eventually prompting de la Cruz to get up, then surprised him with vicious dropping fists from the top, causing serious damage. Impressively, Menne managed to get up and continue, only to receive kicks and punches resulting in a technical knockout in the first round.
In the Bellator welterweight finals, which took place at Bellator 11, Omar fought Lyman Good
. Cruz was defeated by Good via TKO early in the first round, losing his bid for Bellator
's welterweight title.
via TKO in the second round.
|Loss
|align=center|6-3
|
Keita Nakamura
|TKO (punches)
|World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:53
|Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-2
|
Prince McLean
|TKO (punches)
|C3 Fights: Knockout-Rockout Weekend 2
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:30
|Clinton, Oklahoma
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|5-2
| Lyman Good
|TKO (punches)
|Bellator 11
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:23
|Uncasville, Connecticut
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-1
| Dave Menne
| TKO (punches)
|Bellator 7
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:19
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-1
| Victor Meza
|Decision (unanimous)
|Bellator 2
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Uncasville, Connecticut
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-1
| Jason Potter
|Submission (armbar)
|Alianza National Full Contact 2
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:16
|Santo Domingo
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-1
| Aaron Barrios
|Decision (unanimous)
|Total Combat 27
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Yuma, Arizona
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|1-1
|
Marcelo Brito
|Decision (split)
|MMAC: The Revolution
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Washington D.C.
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
| Seth Horn
|Submission (rear naked choke)
|Alianza National Full Contact 1
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:38
|Santo Domingo
|
|-
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. Cruz is most known for his stint in Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. "Bellator", which is Latin for "Warrior", is organized into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for three-five weight divisions.-History:In its first season,...
, fighting in its welterweight division.
Mixed martial arts
Omar is a fourth degree Black Belt in TaekwondoTaekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, and has been practicing the Korean martial art for 16 years, competing mostly in full-contact competitions. In 2001 he was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
, rising steadily to the rank of Brown Belt under Dominican 1st degree black belt Abraham Tabar.
Cruz currently trains at his own gym, Fight Training Academy
Fight Training Academy
Fight Training Academy is a mixed martial arts gym based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Opened in 2007, Fight Training Academy was started by Omar de la Cruz, the country's most prominent mixed martial artist...
in his hometown of Santo Domingo, the only mixed martial arts gym in the country. Omar also acts as instructor in four other gyms. Omar had his first professional mixed martial arts bout on March 10, 2007, at the event Alianza Nacional Full Contact against Team ROC's Seth Horn, winning the fight via submission.
On August 29, 2009, Omar de la Cruz was promoted to brown belt under his instructor, Abraham Tabar.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Omar was signed by Bellator Fighting ChampionshipsBellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. "Bellator", which is Latin for "Warrior", is organized into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for three-five weight divisions.-History:In its first season,...
and is competing in their welterweight division. Cruz is participating in the tournament that began on April 10, 2009. Omar's first opponent was the previously undefeated Victor Meza
Víctor Meza
Víctor Meza is a Argentine footballer currently playing for S.C. Olhanense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.-Teams: Sportivo Italiano 2008-2009 San Lorenzo 2009 Unión San Felipe 2010–2011 Olhanense 2011–present...
, who was coming in on a nine-fight undefeated winning streak. Cruz won via unanimous decision after dominating in all three rounds.
Cruz's second fight for Bellator would be against former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne
Dave Menne
David Jeremy Menne is an American mixed martial artist who has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Rumble on the Rock. He was the first ever UFC Middleweight Champion and is known for his fight against Phil Baroni in which he got knocked out and tried to fall to the ground, only to...
, the fighter with the most extensive background Cruz would face to the date. The fight was a semi-final bout in the tournament and took place at Bellator 7. Omar traveled to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to train with personal friend, Brandon Vera
Brandon Vera
Brandon Michael Vera is an American mixed martial artist. He competes as a light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the winner of the WEC 13 Heavyweight Tournament and currently resides in San Diego, California. He holds notable victories over Frank Mir, Assuerio Silva,...
in preparation for the match. The bout began with Menne rushing in on Cruz, clinching and eventually landing on top after a takedown. Omar worked to his guard, effectively defending punches coming from the top. Managing to get to his feet some moments later, Omar landed a straight on Menne's chin sending him to the canvas. Menne worked butterfly guard, eventually prompting de la Cruz to get up, then surprised him with vicious dropping fists from the top, causing serious damage. Impressively, Menne managed to get up and continue, only to receive kicks and punches resulting in a technical knockout in the first round.
In the Bellator welterweight finals, which took place at Bellator 11, Omar fought Lyman Good
Lyman Good
Lyman Good is an American mixed martial artist and instructor. He currently fights as a welterweight in the Bellator Fighting Championships, and won the first Bellator Welterweight Tournament.-Biography:...
. Cruz was defeated by Good via TKO early in the first round, losing his bid for Bellator
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. "Bellator", which is Latin for "Warrior", is organized into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for three-five weight divisions.-History:In its first season,...
's welterweight title.
Sengoku
At Sengoku 13, Omar entered the Welterweight Grand Prix. He lost to Keita NakamuraKeita Nakamura
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the winner of the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament when he defeated Yasubey Enomoto at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight therefore becoming the first Sengoku Welterweight Champion....
via TKO in the second round.
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Loss
|align=center|6-3
|
Keita NakamuraKeita Nakamura
is a Japanese mixed martial artist. He is the winner of the World Victory Road Welterweight Grand Prix Tournament when he defeated Yasubey Enomoto at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight therefore becoming the first Sengoku Welterweight Champion....
|TKO (punches)
|World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:53
|Tokyo, Japan
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-2
|
Prince McLean|TKO (punches)
|C3 Fights: Knockout-Rockout Weekend 2
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:30
|Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton, Oklahoma
Clinton is a city in Custer and Washita counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 9,033 at the 2010 census.-History:The community began in 1899 when two men, J.L. Avant and E.E...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|5-2
|
Lyman GoodLyman Good
Lyman Good is an American mixed martial artist and instructor. He currently fights as a welterweight in the Bellator Fighting Championships, and won the first Bellator Welterweight Tournament.-Biography:...
|TKO (punches)
|Bellator 11
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:23
|Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-1
|
Dave MenneDave Menne
David Jeremy Menne is an American mixed martial artist who has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Rumble on the Rock. He was the first ever UFC Middleweight Champion and is known for his fight against Phil Baroni in which he got knocked out and tried to fall to the ground, only to...
| TKO (punches)
|Bellator 7
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:19
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-1
|
Victor MezaVíctor Meza
Víctor Meza is a Argentine footballer currently playing for S.C. Olhanense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.-Teams: Sportivo Italiano 2008-2009 San Lorenzo 2009 Unión San Felipe 2010–2011 Olhanense 2011–present...
|Decision (unanimous)
|Bellator 2
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-1
|
Jason Potter|Submission (armbar)
|Alianza National Full Contact 2
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:16
|Santo Domingo
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-1
|
Aaron Barrios|Decision (unanimous)
|Total Combat 27
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|1-1
|
Marcelo BritoMarcelo Brito
Marcelo Brito is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and the Brazilian fighting promotion team Storm Samurai...
|Decision (split)
|MMAC: The Revolution
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Washington D.C.
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|
Seth Horn|Submission (rear naked choke)
|Alianza National Full Contact 1
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:38
|Santo Domingo
|
|-