In case you were wondering, Dominick Cruz is still the UFC Bantamweight champion.
No, he hasn’t stepped inside the Octagon to defend that title since he defeated Demetrious Johnson back on October 1, 2011, but he remains the owner of that title.
Cruz was set to defend that title against his nemesis, former WEC champion Urijah Faber, but a torn ACL during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter Live scuppered that fight.
Things went from bad to worse for Cruz when his body said, “I see what you’re trying to do here, but, no sale” to the cadaver ACL that was used to repair his injury. The rejection of that ACL forced Cruz to go under the knife a second time in December 2012.
Cruz is once again on the mend and hoping to get back in the Octagon to defend his title before the end of 2013.
And Cruz hasn’t been sitting around eating bonbons during his rehab.
He’s been visible on UFC TV broadcasts. He has been able to start some light rehab work. And he’s immersed himself in coaching the fighters at Alliance Training Center.
In Cruz’s absence, Renan Barao has captured the Interim UFC Bantamweight title. Cruz has nothing but good things to say about Barao and the job he has done as interim champion, but Cruz made it clear he believes he thinks he is the best 135-pounder in the world.
Cruz recently spoke to Rick Lee about his situation. Check out the video as the champ talks rehab, Urijah Faber, yoga, being weird and his upcoming meeting with the UFC.
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