UFC bantamweight contender and former champion Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz suffered an injury to his right knee that will keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.
Posting to his social media properties on Facebook and Twitter, Cruz alerted his fans of the unfortunate news.
Cruz’s injury history is lengthy, and this most recent setback is especially inopportune.
After sitting out for almost three years with two injuries to his left knee and a groin tear—a hitatus so long he had to vacate his title—Cruz made his triumphant return to the UFC Octagon in September at UFC 178, where he obliterated then-No. 6-ranked bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki via TKO in Round 1.
Cruz was back, and he was coming for champion T.J. Dillashaw’s title, the title he coughed up not for losing but for being sidelined.
Now again, Cruz must sit and watch the division evolve.
As he’s shown already, though, it’s unwise to count him out because of a setback. He will use his time off to grow, to learn, to develop—just as he did before.
Bleacher Report reached out to those in Cruz’s camp. While no specific details can be provided yet, they did say Cruz was in a good place and expects to bounce back quickly.
Cruz’s Fox Sports co-analysts reached out to Bleacher Report and corroborated this notion. They expect their colleague and friend to triumph once more, just as he did at UFC 178.
Chael Sonnen: “He is an awesome guy, a loyal friend, a great coach and encourager. He has been tested in and out of the ring. He is being tested right now, and I assure you he will pass the test.”
Jon Anik: “Fortunately, he’s as determined and mentally strong an individual as I’ve met. He is just an elite MMA mind and fighter and special force in the game. It was amazing the way he maximized his prior time away, and I look forward to seeing what he has planned for an encore.”
Rashad Evans: “…when it comes to staying positive and facing huge obstacles, no one handles it better than Dom. When he came back after being out for three years battling injuries, he showed that he became a better fighter.
“Myself coming from an ACL (injury) used Dom as my motivation for my comeback Feb. 22 against Glover (Teixeira). I know Dom will come back stronger and prove once again he deserves to be at the top of his weight class.”
Daniel Cormier: “As big of an obstacle as this is…if one person can get through this, it’s Dominick Cruz. He’s fought back so many times, and I have no doubt that he will do it again.”
Kenny Florian: “The same determination he used to come back last time will be that much stronger. As fans, we have to wait yet again, but Dom will be back once again to fight for the belt he never lost.”
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