TORONTO — Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who sat out three years through injury, is back on the sidelines.
The 29-year-old said "with great sadness" Monday he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He had the same injury twice in his left knee.
Cruz (20-1) returned to action in September at UFC 178, earning kudos for a first-round knockout of Japan’s Takeya Mizugaki. Knee and groin injuries had kept him out since October 2011, forcing him to relinquish the 135-pound title.
"Leading up to my last fight in September and after, I have practised a very careful and methodical training and diet regime to keep my body healthy," Cruz said via Facebook. "Unfortunately, this is beyond my understanding and control. 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."
