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. What I Learned From The Biggest Jiu-Jitsu Tournament of My Life

    What I Learned From The Biggest Jiu-Jitsu Tournament of My Life

    Sep 5, 2024

    Just about two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of competing in one of the biggest BJJ tournaments of my life – the 2024 ADCC World Championships.
  2. 2024 ADCC -88kg Bracket Preview: Can Bodoni Run It Back in 2024?

    2024 ADCC -88kg Bracket Preview: Can Bodoni Run It Back in 2024?

    Aug 13, 2024

    The ADCC World Championships are coming up in a matter of days and the divisions are as stacked as ever, including at -88kg. The biggest story at this weight will be the return of champion Giancarlo Bodoni, the only returning 2022 medalist at the weight, and whether or not he can defend his title. If he manages to do it, he will cement his legacy as not just the best in the world right now but one of the best to ever do it.
  3. The Top 10 Wrestlers To Watch At ADCC 2024

    The Top 10 Wrestlers To Watch At ADCC 2024

    Jul 17, 2024

    ADCC is not a jiu-jitsu tournament - it is a grappling tournament that more heavily mixes in a bias for wrestling and competing on the feet. Where past years may have been full of collar-tie push/pull marathons, those grapplers have largely been lapped by a more aggressive and technical generation of stars who fight for the takedown in a more exciting way.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.