Daron Jae Cruickshank was born on June 11,1985 and is an American mixed martial artist currently competing as a lightweight for the Xtreme Fighting Championships.
38 Facts About Daron Cruickshank
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Originally from Westland, Michigan, Cruickshank began training in combat sports from a young age.
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Daron Cruickshank's father is a former mixed martial artist with multiple black belts, while his mother is a former professional competitor in kickboxing and boxing.
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Daron Cruickshank is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and was a talented wrestler, having competed in wrestling and swimming since he was in the eighth grade.
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Daron Cruickshank wrestled collegiately, and was a NJCAA national finalist, as well as a two-time NCAA Division III national qualifier at Olivet College where he earned a bachelor's degree in fitness management.
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Daron Cruickshank made his amateur debut in August 2008 where he defeated Tom Grisham via KO at XCC 11: Duel in Downriver 2.
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Daron Cruickshank fought Bobby Green at KOTC: Imminent Danger for the Junior Welterweight Championship but lost by a guillotine choke in round 2.
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On July 12,2011, it was announced that Daron Cruickshank signed a contract with Bellator Fighting Championships to fight on their upcoming Summer Series card on July 23.
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Daron Cruickshank was to fight Lithuanian fighter Sergej Juskevic but the fight was scrapped at the last minute.
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Daron Cruickshank competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Live, beginning in March, 2012.
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Daron Cruickshank was selected third by Urijah Faber to be part of his team.
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Daron Cruickshank faced fellow cast member Chris Tickle on June 1,2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.
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Daron Cruickshank was expected to take on Henry Martinez on September 1,2012, at UFC 151.
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Daron Cruickshank won the fight via knockout in the second round.
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Daron Cruickshank next fought John Makdessi on March 16,2013, at UFC 158.
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Daron Cruickshank faced off against Yves Edwards on July 27,2013, at UFC on Fox 8, replacing an injured Spencer Fisher.
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Daron Cruickshank won the fight via split decision in a closely contested fight.
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Daron Cruickshank fought Adriano Martins on November 9,2013, at UFC Fight Night 32.
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Daron Cruickshank faced Mike Rio on January 25,2014, at UFC on Fox 10.
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Daron Cruickshank won the fight by wheel kick to the face and punches at 4:56 of the second round.
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Daron Cruickshank took on Erik Koch on May 10,2014, at UFC Fight Night 40.
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Daron Cruickshank faced Jorge Masvidal on July 26,2014, at UFC on Fox 12.
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Daron Cruickshank fought Anthony Njokuani on October 4,2014, at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs Saffiedine.
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Daron Cruickshank fought Beneil Dariush on March 14,2015, at UFC 185.
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Daron Cruickshank missed weight and was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Dariush.
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Daron Cruickshank lost the fight via submission in the second round.
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Daron Cruickshank took on James Krause on July 25,2015, at UFC on Fox 16.
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Daron Cruickshank lost the fight by submission in the first round.
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Daron Cruickshank faced Paul Felder on January 17,2016, at UFC Fight Night 81.
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Daron Cruickshank lost the fight via submission in the third round.
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In March 2016, it was announced that Daron Cruickshank had signed with Rizin Fighting Federation.
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Daron Cruickshank made his debut against Shinji Sasaki on April 17,2016, and won the fight via TKO due to soccer kicks in the first round.
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Daron Cruickshank won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.
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Daron Cruickshank was expected to face Chris Brown at WXC 77 on April 24,2019.
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However, Brown missed the contracted weight and Daron Cruickshank declined to proceed to the bout.
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Daron Cruickshank faced Tofiq Musayev at Rizin 16 - Kobe on June 2,2019.
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Daron Cruickshank lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
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Daron Cruickshank faced Guilherme Faria on August 6,2021, at XFC 45.