Cruz

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship won’t see its bantamweight champion return in early 2013 as originally hoped, as Dominick Cruz has reportedly undergone another knee surgery to repair his ACL and MCL. As a result, the renowned fighter–who has not fought since October, 2011–could remain on the sidelines for an additional six to nine months.

News of the second procedure was confirmed to MMA Junkie by Cruz’s trainer Eric DelFierro.

The 27 year-old Cruz was scheduled to fight former WEC champion Urijah Faber this past July, but the knee injury pulled him from the bout and Renan Barao went on to defeat Faber for the interim title at UFC 149.

Cruz (19-1) is currently riding a ten fight win streak which includes wins over Faber, Joseph Benavidez (twice), Ian McCall, Brian Bowles and most recently Demetrious Johnson.

After Barao defeated Faber by unanimous decision to take the interim belt, the Brazilian announced his intention to wait for Cruz’s return. Considering this latest development, however, Barao will almost certainly be scheduled to compete prior.

UFC President Dana White relayed recently that a bout between Barao and rising bantamweight Michael McDonald is a possibility.