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BJJ Fanatics Instructionals

Elder Cruz

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Gordon Ryan Guard Passing Instructional

Elder Cruz, commonly known as “El Monstro”, is a Honduran-American professional grappler and a black belt in jiu-jitsu under coach Lucas Leite, who represents the Checkmat team on this sport’s international circuit. Cruz first made waves in the sport as a colored belt athlete while competing in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) league and in important no-gi jiu-jitsu events such as the SUBVERSIV Invitational and the ADCC American Trials where he conquered several important wins.

Elder Cruz Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Elder Alexander Cruz

Nickname: Unlike many Brazilian/Portuguese nicknames which are traditionally founded on the friendly mockery of someone’s physical or personality attributes, “El Monstro” – the tag commonly associated with Cruz – was a self-imposed, planned nickname, much like it happens in the world of MMA or boxing.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira > Lucas Leite > Elder Cruz

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championships NOGI (2023 / 2024*)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championships NOGI (2023)
  • 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NOGI (2023)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championships NOGI (2024)
  • 2nd Place ADCC East Coast Trials (2021 / 2023)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF World Championships NOGI (2023*)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championships (2022 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championships NOGI (2019 blue, 2022** brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championships (2019** purple, 2021 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2019** blue, 2020** purple, 2021 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NOGI (2020** purple, 2021** brown)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championships NOGI (2021** brown)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championships (2019** blue, 2021 / 2022* brown)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championships NOGI (2019* blue)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championships NOGI (2019 blue)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championships NOGI (2020 purple)

* Absolute
** Weight and Absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Double Leg, Guard Passer

Weight Division: Pesado (94,30 kg / 208.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Checkmat

Elder Cruz Biography

Elder Cruz was born on May 18, 1994, in Honduras, but relocated with his family to La Habra, California, USA, in 1998, at the age of 4.

The world of combat sports entered Cruz’s life at 12, as a freshman at the La Habra High School, when he joined the institution’s wrestling team. Elder spent 4 years competing for the Highlanders, making the team’s varsity squad and the CIF State tournament in his senior year after taking the Freeway League crown, a CIF-Southern Section Southern Division championship, and a second-place finish at the CIF-SS Masters Meet.

After finishing high school, Elder Cruz set his sights on mixed martial arts, joining Jeff Nolasco’s UFC gym in La Mirada in March 2018. It was through this relationship with MMA and in his attempt to improve all areas of cage-fighting that Cruz started paying more attention to jiu-jitsu and the competitive opportunities available in that sport.

While trying to further develop his ground skills, Cruz discovered Lucas Leite and his Checkmat La Habra gym, one of the top grappling academies in the country. After his early interaction with coach Leite, Elder became more focused on jiu-jitsu’s competitive scene and slowly faded away from his MMA ambitions to pursue BJJ.

Elder Cruz quickly gained notoriety at an international level as one of the rising stars of the sport earning all belts under Leite, who also promoted Elder to the black belt rank in July 2022.

Elder Cruz Instructionals
ELDER CRUZ RECORD

Traditionally BJJ Heroes only records black belt match results, in Cruz’s case, however, he’s been competing against top-tier black belt competition from his brown belt days in professional events against other pro-athletes, with some memorable matches there. Alves was also an important player at the ADCC US Trials, all results we felt should be included in his professional record, despite his brown belt rank at the time (prior to July 2022).

Elder Cruz Grappling Record

91 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    54 (59%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    10 (11%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    15 (16%)
  • BY DECISION
    11 (12%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    1 (1%)

15 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Cachecol choke
33
5
#86e620
RNC
13
2
#5AD3D1
Submission
13
2
#d1212a
Anaconda
7
1
#fad11b
Kneebar
7
1
#f58822
Anaconda choke
7
1
#224aba
Darce choke
7
1
#ff9124
Katagatame
7
1
#bf1f6c
Choke
7
1
15
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
40 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    17 (43%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    2 (5%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    14 (35%)
  • BY DECISION
    4 (10%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    1 (3%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    2 (5%)

14 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
RNC
29
4
#86e620
Inside heel hook
14
2
#5AD3D1
Outside heel hook
14
2
#d1212a
Armbar
14
2
#fad11b
Brabo choke
7
1
#f58822
Choke from back
7
1
#224aba
Kneebar
7
1
#ff9124
Botinha
7
1
14
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Elder Cruz Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
28998Giancarlo BodoniGiancarlo BodoniLPts: 3x0ADCC EC Trials88KGF2021
31359Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenLEBI/OTBattle OBABSR12022
31387Rida HaisamRida HaisamLRNCWNO 1292KGSPF2022
31442Paul ArdilaPaul ArdilaLInside heel hookADCC WC Trials99KGSF2022
34324Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenLEBI/OTSapateiro Inv93KG4F2022
35179Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLPts: 5x2ADCC99KG4F2022
35219Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuLPts: 3x0ADCCABS8F2022
35728Pedro RochaPedro RochaLPts: 4x0NoGi Pan91KG4F2022
35744Henrique CardosoHenrique CardosoLInside heel hookNoGi PanABS8F2022
37538Carlos NetoLPts: 2x0Austin WOABSR12023
37951Caio ViniciusCaio ViniciusLPts: 10x0Memphis Open94KGSF2023
37964Caio ViniciusCaio ViniciusLPts: 4x0Memphis OpenABS4F2023
38158Joao CizeskiJoao CizeskiLReferee DecisionLA Open88KGSF2023
38185Johnatha AlvesJohnatha AlvesLPts: 22x0LA OpenABSSF2023
38655Sebastian RodriguezSebastian RodriguezLPts: 2x2, PenPan American88KGR12023
39319Ronaldo JuniorRonaldo JuniorLPts: 20x4Santa Cruz O88KGSF2023
40319Rafael LovatoRafael LovatoLRNCWNO 1892KGSPF2023
40586Matheus SpirandeliMatheus SpirandeliLPts: 21x2World Champ.88KGR12023
40769Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLChoke from backWorld Champ.ABS8F2023
41190Luke GriffithLuke GriffithLRNCADCC DallasABSF2023
42731Giancarlo BodoniGiancarlo BodoniLPointsBlue CollarABS4F2023
43523Joao RochaJoao RochaLPts: 3x0NoGi PanABS8F2023
43973Jacob CouchJacob CouchLOutside heel hookADCC ECTrials88KGF2023
46023Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaLOutside heel hookNoGi WorldABSSF2023
47409Dante LeonDante LeonLPts: 0x0, AdvIBJJF NGGPABS4F2024
48494William TackettWilliam TackettLPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials88KGSF2024
49711Rafael VasconcelosRafael VasconcelosLReferee DecisionSan Jose SPO94KGSF2024
49716Sebastian GuevaraLArmbarSan Jose SPOABS4F2024
50572Filipe PimentelLReferee DecisionWorld Champ.94KGR12024
52616Felipe CostaFelipe CostaLPts: 2x0ADCC88KG4F2024
52684Mica GalvaoMica GalvaoLRNCADCCABSR12024
56171Marcos CarrozzinoLPts: 6x0World NoGi97KGF2024
56941Roberto JimenezRoberto JimenezLArmbarWNO 2693KGSPF2025
57661Francisco PapasideroLPointsLA W OpenABSSF2025
58785Paulo MerlinPaulo MerlinLPts: 8x0OC Open94KGSF2025
58799Helder JuniorHelder JuniorLKneebarOC OpenABSSF2025
59358Francisco PapasideroLPts: 4x2SDiego SPO94KGF2025
59369Francisco PapasideroLPts: 0x0, AdvSDiego SPOABSF2025
59631Hygor BritoHygor BritoLBotinhaWorld Champ.ABS8F2025
59790Leonardo FerreiraLeonardo FerreiraLBrabo chokeWorld Champ.94KG4F2025
26049Daniel ManasoiuWReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 5ABS4F2021
26058Rene SousaWReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 5ABSSF2021
28962Pablo MontesWPts: 7x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR22021
28972Daishi GotoWPts: 13x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR32021
28984Devon CuraWPts: 7x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR42021
28992Sean YadimarcoWPts: 3x0ADCC EC Trials88KG4F2021
28996John SalterJohn SalterWReferee DecisionADCC EC Trials88KGSF2021
29908Nick RodriguezNick RodriguezWReferee DecisionWNO 11O93KGSPF2022
31428Jason PattersonWPts: 9x0ADCC WC Trials99KGR12022
31432Mateusz LimWPts: 6x0ADCC WC Trials99KGR22022
31436Michael LadyWPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials99KG8F2022
31439Adrian NezWPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials99KG4F2022
34321Josiah HarrellWEBI/OTSapateiro Inv93KG8F2022
35172Patrick GaudioPatrick GaudioWReferee DecisionADCC99KGR12022
35726Nicolae CuryWPts: 10x0NoGi Pan91KGR12022
35741Lucas NoratLucas NoratWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi PanABSR12022
37531Rafael FernandoWPts: 2x0Austin WO94KG4F2023
37533Marlon TanakaWCachecol chokeAustin WO94KGSF2023
37534Thiago AndradeWPts: 4x0Austin WO94KGF2023
37962Felipe CostaFelipe CostaWPts: 0x0, AdvMemphis OpenABSR12023
38181Thiago AndradeWPts: 4x0LA OpenABSR12023
39018Kevin CraneWN/AF2W 226ABSSPF2023
39318Matheus GomesWCachecol chokeSanta Cruz O88KG4F2023
40762Sean CoatesWPts: 2x2, AdvWorld Champ.ABSR12023
41175H. AlabedWRNCADCC DallasABSR12023
41179G. LamannaWPts: 5x0ADCC DallasABSR22023
41181J. McLoughlinWPts: 12x0ADCC DallasABSR32023
41185A. La MontagneWPts: 3x0ADCC DallasABS8F2023
41188Caleb CrumpWPts: 4x0ADCC DallasABSSF2023
41535Thiago AndradeWPts: 7x0American NNG91KG4F2023
41536David GarmoDavid GarmoWPts: 4x0American NNG91KGSF2023
41538Sean YadimarcoWPts: 7x0American NNG91KGF2023
41543Adam BradleyWPts: 0x0, AdvAmerican NNGABSR12023
41546Francisco CuneoFrancisco CuneoWPts: 8x0American NNGABS4F2023
41552Carlos HenriqueCarlos HenriqueWPts: 2x0American NNGABSSF2023
42112Javier ZaruskiJavier ZaruskiWPts: 4x0SD SMNGOABSSF2023
43617Jose JuremaJose JuremaWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi Pan91KGR12023
43620Andrew MarreroWAnaconda chokeNoGi Pan91KG4F2023
43624Hunter ColvinWPts: 6x0NoGi Pan91KGSF2023
43935London HornWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR12023
43951Charlie GilpinWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR22023
43957Abraham MontagneWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR42023
43961Maxim CoteWDarce chokeADCC ECTrials88KG8F2023
43967Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenWPts: 7x0ADCC ECTrials88KG4F2023
43971William TackettWilliam TackettWPts: 3x0ADCC ECTrials88KGSF2023
45975Javier BarterJavier BarterWPts: 6x0NoGi World91KG4F2023
45980Roberto JimenezRoberto JimenezWPts: 2x0NoGi World91KGSF2023
45981Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi World91KGF2023
46021Javier BarterJavier BarterWPts: 4x2NoGi WorldABS4F2023
46491Arthur GarciaWPts: 7x0ADCC LB100KG4F2024
46493Joe KropschotWPts: 15x0ADCC LB100KGSF2024
46494Breylor GroutWPts: 3x0ADCC LB100KGF2024
48444Malik BelhajWPts: 5x0ADCC WC Trials88KGR22024
48467Jared ShaferWKatagatameADCC WC Trials88KGR32024
48472Camron CouchWPts: 10x0ADCC WC Trials88KGR42024
48483Achilles RochaAchilles RochaWReferee DecisionADCC WC Trials88KGR52024
48490Abraham MontagneWReferee DecisionADCC WC Trials88KG4F2024
48497Chris WojcikWPts: 5x0ADCC WC Trials88KG3RD2024
50217Eliyah SalaWChokeSDiego SPOABS4F2024
50219Christiano MoreiraWPts: 6x0SDiego SPOABSSF2024
51575Erik SommerWSubmissionADCC Orlando100KGSF2024
51577Kevin BerbrichWPts: 16x0ADCC Orlando100KGF2024
51585Z. GhalayiniWPts: 6x0ADCC OrlandoABSR12024
51589B. GeorgeWPts: 6x0ADCC OrlandoABSSF2024
51591Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaWReferee DecisionADCC OrlandoABSF2024
52609Taylor PearmanWReferee DecisionADCC88KGR12024
54353Alex GrandyWPointsAIGA USAO91KGRR2024
54371Kevin BerberichWPointsAIGA USAO91KGF2024
56014Wallisson OliveiraWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGiABSR12024
56024Diogo FelipeWPts: 2x0World NoGiABS8F2024
56026Sean GoolsbyWRNCWorld NoGiABS4F2024
56030Joao NicoliteJoao NicoliteWPts: 6x0World NoGiABSSF2024
56032Devhonte JohnsonDevhonte JohnsonWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGiABSF2024
56162Adam BradleyWPts: 2x0World NoGi97KGR12024
56167Jean MalteseWReferee DecisionWorld NoGi97KG4F2024
56170Marcin MaciulewiczWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGi97KGSF2024
56504Jason YWSubmissionADCC SDABS4F2025
56506Kevin CraneWPts: 9x0ADCC SDABSSF2025
56507Jett ThompsonWReferee DecisionADCC SDABSF2025
57649Thiago AndradeWPts: 2x0LA W Open100KGSF2025
57660Thiago AndradeWPointsLA W OpenABS4F2025
57675Filipe PimentelWN/ALA WNGO97KGSF2025
57676Thiago AndradeWPointsLA WNGO97KGF2025
58783Shane RogersWAnacondaOC Open94KG4F2025
58796Thiago SaboiaThiago SaboiaWCachecol chokeOC OpenABS4F2025
59356Joao MarcioWKneebarSDiego SPO94KGSF2025
59365London HornWCachecol chokeSDiego SPOABS4F2025
59368Omri HavivWCachecol chokeSDiego SPOABSSF2025
59626Lucas MontalvaoLucas MontalvaoWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld Champ.ABSR12025
59779Lucas CaladoWPts: 9x0World Champ.94KGR12025
59789Patrick GaudioPatrick GaudioWPts: 2x0World Champ.94KG8F2025
Roberto Jimenez BJJ Attacking The Back

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