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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Jessa Khan Has Arrived In 2022, Dominant Outing In Absolute GP Superfight

    Jessa Khan Has Arrived In 2022, Dominant Outing In Absolute GP Superfight

    Nov 21, 2022

    Last Friday, Jessa Khan had a dominant performance against black belt Kaori Hernandez at her IBJJF GP superfight. She started the match by coming up from the guard with crazy dog passing grips, passing immediately and worked her way quickly to mount, putting 17 points on the board before the first half of the match expired. The rest of the match was one way traffic, and Khan eventually snagged a triangle armbar while maintaining full control of the mat.
  9. Live Updates & Results | IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix

    Live Updates & Results | IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix

    Nov 19, 2022

    Tonight, eight of the top names in the IBJJF ranks will square off for $40,000 in the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix. During the event, five pairings of the best athletes in their respective divisions will take the mat in huge, and unpredicted superfights. Follow along here throughout the night for real time results, updates and analysis!
  10. The IBJJF Absolute GP Bracket Is Here!

    The IBJJF Absolute GP Bracket Is Here!

    Nov 16, 2022

    The IBJJF has just released the bracket for the IBJJF Absolute GP which goes down on Friday, November 18 in Costa Mesa, CA.
  11. All Eight Names Revealed For November IBJJF Absolute GP

    All Eight Names Revealed For November IBJJF Absolute GP

    Nov 7, 2022

    The IBJJF has been trickling out names for its upcoming Absolute Grand Prix for nearly a month. Today the organization officially announced the last two competitors in the openweight bracket coming to FloGrappling on November 18.
  12. Todos os 8 nomes têm sido revalados pelo IBJJF GP Absoluto em Novembro

    Todos os 8 nomes têm sido revalados pelo IBJJF GP Absoluto em Novembro

    Nov 3, 2022

    O IBJJF tem publicado os nomes do GP peso absoluto que acontecerá no próximo mês. Hoje, ele anunciou os próximos lutadores que lutarão na chave absoluta aqui em duas semana no FloGrappling.
  13. The 2022 ADCC Award Winners Have Been Announced!

    The 2022 ADCC Award Winners Have Been Announced!

    Oct 20, 2022

    As the dust settles after the 2022 ADCC World Championships, ADCC has released the winners of their four prestigious awards given out at every ADCC Worlds. The awards are for best athlete, best takedown, best match and fastest submission.
  14. BREAKING: No-Gi Pans Brackets Revealed, Top 15 Early Round Matches

    BREAKING: No-Gi Pans Brackets Revealed, Top 15 Early Round Matches

    Oct 12, 2022

    The IBJJF has officially released the brackets for the 2022 No-Gi Pan Championships, which begins on Friday, October 14.
  15. Mo Jassim Returns As ADCC Head Organizer In 2024

    Mo Jassim Returns As ADCC Head Organizer In 2024

    Oct 10, 2022

    Great news for the grappling world as Mo Jassim has been selected as the Head Organizer for the ADCC World Championships in 2024. This event will again be held in Las Vegas with a targeted date of September 2024, with trials kicking off at the East Coast Trials in November 2023.