picture of Elder Cruz

Elder Cruz, aka "El Monstro" is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt from La Habra, CA. Cruz trains under coach Lucas Leite and represents Checkmat. He is the an IBJJF Pan and American National champion, as well as a WNO veteran.

  1. The Brackets For The IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix Are HERE!

    The Brackets For The IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix Are HERE!

    Feb 26, 2024

    The IBJJF has announced the brackets for the Feb. 29 IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix, and the 8 men involved have their paths to first place. The tournament will feature ADCC Champions Kaynan Duarte and Giancarlo Bodoni, as well as IBJJF World Champions like Dante Leon, Elder Cruz, and Roosevelt Sousa. All the action will be streaming exclusively on FloGrappling.
  2. IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas

    IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas

    Jul 10, 2023

    The IBJJF American Nationals delivered on a great weekend of gi and no-gi competition in Las Vegas, with grappling stars Elisabeth Clay, Ronaldo Junior, Elder Cruz, and Melissa Cueto taking home absolute gold. There were great black belt debuts, a few upsets, and some razor close matchups. CheckMat won both the gi and no-gi team titles, over tough squads from Carlson Gracie and Gracie Barra.
  3. The Top Matches & Moments From Alliance At 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    The Top Matches & Moments From Alliance At 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    Jun 10, 2023

    Alliance is one of the most historically successfully organizations in competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and every year they crown champions and earn medals in the Pyramid. In 2023, Alliance saw strong results again with black belts like Fellipe Andrew, Melissa Cueto, and Isaac Doederlein, and colored belts like Eduardo Alves and Helena Crevar, bringing home accolades.
  4. CheckMat At Worlds: Top Moments & Matches From CheckMat's 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    CheckMat At Worlds: Top Moments & Matches From CheckMat's 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    Jun 10, 2023

    CheckMat always sends one of the strongest teams to the IBJJF World Championships, and in 2023 they delivered again with two champions in the black belt division. Jansen Gomes had the run of the tournament, beating two defending world champions on his way to gold, and Sam Nagai won his first world title at black belt by defeating two familiar foes. Relive all the best moments from CheckMat below.
  5. AOJ At Worlds: The Top Matches and Moments From AOJ At 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    AOJ At Worlds: The Top Matches and Moments From AOJ At 2023 IBJJF Worlds

    Jun 9, 2023

    Relive all of Art of Jiu Jitsu's best moments from the 2023 World Championships, with 4 black belt world champions, two more finalists, and impressive, technical skill shown from the entire team. Also hear from the athletes and coach Gui Mendes live from the tournament as they reflect in real time on the event and performances.
  6. A Running List Of The 2023 Colored Belt World Champion Promoted In Rank

    A Running List Of The 2023 Colored Belt World Champion Promoted In Rank

    Jun 9, 2023

    Every year brings a new crop of colored belt world champions and medalists, a group that has won the toughest tournament possible at their current rank and proven ready for higher levels of challenge. Below is a list of the 2023 IBJJF World Champions that have been promoted to the next highest rank since winning their bracket. The list will be updated every few days for the next few months to reflect ongoing promotions.
  7. Road to Double Gold: Pessanha Becomes First Woman With All Subs At Worlds

    Road to Double Gold: Pessanha Becomes First Woman With All Subs At Worlds

    Jun 6, 2023

    At the 2023 IBJJF World Championships, Gabriela Pessanha of Infight JJ cemented herself as the greatest women's black belt in the world with a double gold, history-making performance. With five fights, five wins, and five submissions, Gabi became the first woman to both win three straight double golds and to submit her way through both brackets at the black belt level.
  8. Road to Double Gold: Victor Hugo Makes History With Open Class Submission

    Road to Double Gold: Victor Hugo Makes History With Open Class Submission

    Jun 5, 2023

    Victor Hugo accomplished what few men ever have, and did it in devastating fashion as he won double gold at the 2023 IBJJF World Championships with eight wins, five by submission - including the first submission win in the open class finals since Roger Gracie accomplished the feat in 2009. See all of Victor's matches, interviews, and more below and relive the entire golden run.
  9. 2023 IBJJF Worlds Recap: Hugo & Pessanha Double Gold, Jansen Defeats Dalpra

    2023 IBJJF Worlds Recap: Hugo & Pessanha Double Gold, Jansen Defeats Dalpra

    Jun 5, 2023

    The 2023 IBJJF World Championships have officially concluded and history has been made. Victor Hugo and Gabi Pessanha stand alone at the top of the IBJJF world with their respective double gold performances, Jansen Gomes had a run that will be remembered for years to come, and Dream Art took home its first ever team championship from the event.
  10. Who Won IBJJF World Championships in 2023? Here's The List Of Winners

    Who Won IBJJF World Championships in 2023? Here's The List Of Winners

    Jun 4, 2023

    The 2023 IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu World Championships showcased some of the best grapplers in the world during an action-packed weekend at The Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif.
  11. Black Belt World Finals Are SET: Semi Results & Finals Schedule

    Black Belt World Finals Are SET: Semi Results & Finals Schedule

    Jun 4, 2023

    Action is coming quick at the last day of the 2023 IBJJF World Championships and the black belt finals are set. See semifinal results and schedules for the finals below.
  12. IBJJF Worlds 2023: Day 3 Results

    IBJJF Worlds 2023: Day 3 Results

    Jun 4, 2023

    The IBJJF Worlds 2023 is coming to an exciting finale after an intense Day 3 of matches.
  13. Final Matches Of IBJJF Worlds Are Set: Medalists & Pairings For Sunday Here

    Final Matches Of IBJJF Worlds Are Set: Medalists & Pairings For Sunday Here

    Jun 4, 2023

    After an intense day one, the semifinalists in each of the black belt divisions at the 2023 IBJJF World Championships are set and ready for Sunday.
  14. Watch Rafael Lovato Jr.'s Submission Of The Night At Tezos WNO 18

    Watch Rafael Lovato Jr.'s Submission Of The Night At Tezos WNO 18

    May 19, 2023

    Tezo WNO 18: Meregali vs Marinho  ended with a flurry as matches picked up momentum with Rafael Lovato Jr.'s incredible submission win against Elder Cruz.
  15. WNO 18: Meregali Vs. Marinho Card: What to Know

    WNO 18: Meregali Vs. Marinho Card: What to Know

    May 16, 2023

    Nicholas Meregali, one of the top Brazalian jiu-jitsu heavyweights in the world, will face Tezos WNO no-gi light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho in the main event at WNO 18: Meregali vs. Marinho on May 18 at the Criterion in Oklahoma City.