Yahoo Sports Dominick Cruz Suffers Another ACL Injury, Out Indefinitely
Having recently returned from nearly three years out of the Octagon, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has suffered another anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Cruz revealed the injury on Monday via his Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness to report I have experienced another ACL injury,” he wrote. “This time it’s in the right knee, opposite side of my first and second ACL injuries.”
SEE ALSO: Fighters on Twitter React to Dominick Cruz's UFC 178 Return to Domination
Cruz suffered his first ACL injury after having coached opposite Urijah Faber on The Ultimate Fighter and then preparing to fight a rubber match, having split their first two fights with a victory apiece.
The first surgery on his left knee failed, so he had to undergo a second procedure. Although the second procedure was successful, Cruz then suffered a torn groin during training and was sidelined again.
After being sidelined for so long, Cruz had to relinquish his belt.
He finally returned at UFC 178 in September, where he knocked out Takeya Mizugaki. That victory set up a chance to face current 135-pound champ TJ Dillashaw to try and win back the belt that he never lost in the Octagon.
Although Cruz says he has been careful to avoid injury, having suffered this latest setback and giving no timetable for a return has set him on a path with a foggy destination.
“Leading up to my last fight in September and after, I have practiced a very careful and methodical training and diet regime to keep my body healthy. Unfortunately, this is beyond my understanding and control,” said Cruz.
“I don’t have a timetable for my return but trust and know I will pour my heart and soul into returning to the Octagon. I want to thank the UFC, my fans and my sponsors ahead of time for your support and prayers. I appreciate you more than you could understand.”
SEE ALSO: Renan Barao vs. Mitch Gagnon Fight Highlights Video
With Cruz once again out of action, the door could be open for Renan Barao, who defeated Mitch Gagnon over the weekend, to get a shot at Dillashaw to try and earn back the belt that he held in Cruz's absence.
