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Elder Cruz

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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

79 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    48 (61%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    9 (11%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    10 (13%)
  • BY DECISION
    11 (14%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    1 (1%)

10 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Submission
20
2
#86e620
Cachecol choke
20
2
#5AD3D1
RNC
20
2
#d1212a
Anaconda choke
10
1
#fad11b
Darce choke
10
1
#f58822
Katagatame
10
1
#224aba
Choke
10
1
10
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
33 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    14 (42%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    1 (3%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    11 (33%)
  • BY DECISION
    4 (12%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    1 (3%)
  • BY EBI/OT
    2 (6%)

11 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
RNC
36
4
#86e620
Inside heel hook
18
2
#5AD3D1
Outside heel hook
18
2
#d1212a
Armbar
18
2
#fad11b
Choke from back
9
1
11
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Elder Cruz Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
28954Giancarlo BodoniGiancarlo BodoniLPts: 3x0ADCC EC Trials88KGF2021
31312Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenLEBI/OTBattle OBABSR12022
31340Rida HaisamRida HaisamLRNCWNO 1292KGSPF2022
31395Paul ArdilaPaul ArdilaLInside heel hookADCC WC Trials99KGSF2022
34275Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenLEBI/OTSapateiro Inv93KG4F2022
35130Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLPts: 5x2ADCC99KG4F2022
35170Roberto AbreuRoberto AbreuLPts: 3x0ADCCABS8F2022
35679Pedro RochaPedro RochaLPts: 4x0NoGi Pan91KG4F2022
35695Henrique CardosoHenrique CardosoLInside heel hookNoGi PanABS8F2022
37482Carlos NetoLPts: 2x0Austin WOABSR12023
37895Caio ViniciusCaio ViniciusLPts: 10x0Memphis Open94KGSF2023
37908Caio ViniciusCaio ViniciusLPts: 4x0Memphis OpenABS4F2023
38102Joao CizeskiJoao CizeskiLReferee DecisionLA Open88KGSF2023
38129Johnatha AlvesJohnatha AlvesLPts: 22x0LA OpenABSSF2023
38581Sebastian RodriguezSebastian RodriguezLPts: 2x2, PenPan American88KGR12023
39238Ronaldo JuniorRonaldo JuniorLPts: 20x4Santa Cruz O88KGSF2023
40239Rafael LovatoRafael LovatoLRNCWNO 1892KGSPF2023
40506Matheus SpirandeliMatheus SpirandeliLPts: 21x2World Champ.88KGR12023
40689Kaynan DuarteKaynan DuarteLChoke from backWorld Champ.ABS8F2023
41110Luke GriffithLuke GriffithLRNCADCC DallasABSF2023
42652Giancarlo BodoniGiancarlo BodoniLPointsBlue CollarABS4F2023
43444Joao RochaJoao RochaLPts: 3x0NoGi PanABS8F2023
43894Jacob CouchJacob CouchLOutside heel hookADCC ECTrials88KGF2023
45939Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaLOutside heel hookNoGi WorldABSSF2023
47320Dante LeonDante LeonLPts: 0x0, AdvIBJJF NGGPABS4F2024
48403William TackettWilliam TackettLPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials88KGSF2024
49620Rafael VasconcelosRafael VasconcelosLReferee DecisionSan Jose SPO94KGSF2024
49625Sebastian GuevaraLArmbarSan Jose SPOABS4F2024
50481Filipe PimentelLReferee DecisionWorld Champ.94KGR12024
52512Felipe CostaFelipe CostaLPts: 2x0ADCC88KG4F2024
52580Mica GalvaoMica GalvaoLRNCADCCABSR12024
56053Marcos CarrozzinoLPts: 6x0World NoGi97KGF2024
56823Roberto JimenezRoberto JimenezLArmbarWNO 2693KGSPF2025
26008Daniel ManasoiuWReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 5ABS4F2021
26017Rene SousaWReferee DecisionSUBVERSIV 5ABSSF2021
28918Pablo MontesWPts: 7x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR22021
28928Daishi GotoWPts: 13x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR32021
28940Devon CuraWPts: 7x0ADCC EC Trials88KGR42021
28948Sean YadimarcoWPts: 3x0ADCC EC Trials88KG4F2021
28952John SalterJohn SalterWReferee DecisionADCC EC Trials88KGSF2021
29861Nick RodriguezNick RodriguezWReferee DecisionWNO 11O93KGSPF2022
31381Jason PattersonWPts: 9x0ADCC WC Trials99KGR12022
31385Mateusz LimWPts: 6x0ADCC WC Trials99KGR22022
31389Michael LadyWPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials99KG8F2022
31392Adrian NezWPts: 3x0ADCC WC Trials99KG4F2022
34272Josiah HarrellWEBI/OTSapateiro Inv93KG8F2022
35123Patrick GaudioPatrick GaudioWReferee DecisionADCC99KGR12022
35677Nicolae CuryWPts: 10x0NoGi Pan91KGR12022
35692Lucas NoratLucas NoratWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi PanABSR12022
37475Rafael FernandoWPts: 2x0Austin WO94KG4F2023
37477Marlon TanakaWCachecol chokeAustin WO94KGSF2023
37478Thiago AndradeWPts: 4x0Austin WO94KGF2023
37906Felipe CostaFelipe CostaWPts: 0x0, AdvMemphis OpenABSR12023
38125Thiago AndradeWPts: 4x0LA OpenABSR12023
38944Kevin CraneWN/AF2W 226ABSSPF2023
39237Matheus GomesWCachecol chokeSanta Cruz O88KG4F2023
40682Sean CoatesWPts: 2x2, AdvWorld Champ.ABSR12023
41095H. AlabedWRNCADCC DallasABSR12023
41099G. LamannaWPts: 5x0ADCC DallasABSR22023
41101J. McLoughlinWPts: 12x0ADCC DallasABSR32023
41105A. La MontagneWPts: 3x0ADCC DallasABS8F2023
41108Caleb CrumpWPts: 4x0ADCC DallasABSSF2023
41455Thiago AndradeWPts: 7x0American NNG91KG4F2023
41456David GarmoDavid GarmoWPts: 4x0American NNG91KGSF2023
41458Sean YadimarcoWPts: 7x0American NNG91KGF2023
41463Adam BradleyWPts: 0x0, AdvAmerican NNGABSR12023
41466Francisco CuneoFrancisco CuneoWPts: 8x0American NNGABS4F2023
41472Carlos HenriqueCarlos HenriqueWPts: 2x0American NNGABSSF2023
42032Javier ZaruskiJavier ZaruskiWPts: 4x0SD SMNGOABSSF2023
43538Jose JuremaJose JuremaWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi Pan91KGR12023
43541Andrew MarreroWAnaconda chokeNoGi Pan91KG4F2023
43545Hunter ColvinWPts: 6x0NoGi Pan91KGSF2023
43856London HornWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR12023
43872Charlie GilpinWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR22023
43878Abraham MontagneWPts: 6x0ADCC ECTrials88KGR42023
43882Maxim CoteWDarce chokeADCC ECTrials88KG8F2023
43888Ryan AitkenRyan AitkenWPts: 7x0ADCC ECTrials88KG4F2023
43892William TackettWilliam TackettWPts: 3x0ADCC ECTrials88KGSF2023
45891Javier BarterJavier BarterWPts: 6x0NoGi World91KG4F2023
45896Roberto JimenezRoberto JimenezWPts: 2x0NoGi World91KGSF2023
45897Adam WardzinskiAdam WardzinskiWPts: 0x0, AdvNoGi World91KGF2023
45937Javier BarterJavier BarterWPts: 4x2NoGi WorldABS4F2023
46407Arthur GarciaWPts: 7x0ADCC LB100KG4F2024
46409Joe KropschotWPts: 15x0ADCC LB100KGSF2024
46410Breylor GroutWPts: 3x0ADCC LB100KGF2024
48353Malik BelhajWPts: 5x0ADCC WC Trials88KGR22024
48376Jared ShaferWKatagatameADCC WC Trials88KGR32024
48381Camron CouchWPts: 10x0ADCC WC Trials88KGR42024
48392Achilles RochaAchilles RochaWReferee DecisionADCC WC Trials88KGR52024
48399Abraham MontagneWReferee DecisionADCC WC Trials88KG4F2024
48406Chris WojcikWPts: 5x0ADCC WC Trials88KG3RD2024
50126Eliyah SalaWChokeSDiego SPOABS4F2024
50128Christiano MoreiraWPts: 6x0SDiego SPOABSSF2024
51470Erik SommerWSubmissionADCC Orlando100KGSF2024
51472Kevin BerbrichWPts: 16x0ADCC Orlando100KGF2024
51480Z. GhalayiniWPts: 6x0ADCC OrlandoABSR12024
51484B. GeorgeWPts: 6x0ADCC OrlandoABSSF2024
51486Roosevelt SousaRoosevelt SousaWReferee DecisionADCC OrlandoABSF2024
52505Taylor PearmanWReferee DecisionADCC88KGR12024
54249Alex GrandyWPointsAIGA USAO91KGRR2024
54267Kevin BerberichWPointsAIGA USAO91KGF2024
55896Wallisson OliveiraWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGiABSR12024
55906Diogo FelipeWPts: 2x0World NoGiABS8F2024
55908Sean GoolsbyWRNCWorld NoGiABS4F2024
55912Joao NicoliteJoao NicoliteWPts: 6x0World NoGiABSSF2024
55914Devhonte JohnsonDevhonte JohnsonWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGiABSF2024
56044Adam BradleyWPts: 2x0World NoGi97KGR12024
56049Jean MalteseWReferee DecisionWorld NoGi97KG4F2024
56052Marcin MaciulewiczWPts: 0x0, AdvWorld NoGi97KGSF2024
56386Jason YWSubmissionADCC SDABS4F2025
56388Kevin CraneWPts: 9x0ADCC SDABSSF2025
56389Jett ThompsonWReferee DecisionADCC SDABSF2025
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