Dana White: Dominick Cruz can return directly against Barão if he prefers

D. Cruz (photo) has been out of activity since 2011. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

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UFC president Dana White declared that Dominick Cruz, former bantamweight champion of the organization, will have the freedom to choose in which condition he would like to return to fighting after a long time injured.

Cruz, owner of the linear belt until the beginning of this year, had to give up his position when he injured his quadriceps during training to face Renan Barao for the unification of the title, in February. The fighter has been out of action since the end of 2011, having also undergone a series of knee surgeries.

In a recent interview, Cruz himself stated that would accept having to rebuild his path towards the title. However, in a press conference held this Thursday (22), White stated that, if Cruz prefers, he could return directly in a title fight.

"I do not know when Dominick Cruz will be back. If Dominick wants to fight Barao, he will. He won't get any bad news from me. The question is: do you want to go back and fight Renan Barao after two years away? Look what Barão did to [Urijah] Faber. Not even [José] Aldo was able to do that to Faber”, pondered the director, referring to the fighter who replaced Cruz in the fight in February.

According to White, Cruz could be the big name in the bantamweight division to rival Barão. “Yes, Barão needs a rival. He’s a relatively new champion,” said White.

Barão will defend his second belt next Saturday (24), when he will face TJ Dillashaw in the main fight of UFC 173, in Las Vegas, in the United States.

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