Dominick Cruz aims to return for UFC 177 and wants to face Takeya Mizugaki

D. Cruz (photo) was bantamweight champion between 2010 and 2013. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

One of the biggest hiatuses caused by injury in the history of MMA may have a date set to come to an end. Without acting since October 2011, the former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz can finally return to the Octagon on August 30th in Las Vegas (USA), at UFC 177. Cruz's preferred opponent for his return is former WEC title challenger Takeya Mizugaki.

The information was confirmed by the coach of Dominick Cruz, Eric del Fierro, on the program “UFC Tonight”, the organization's official newspaper on North American TV. The opponent that piques the interest of the former champion and his team, Takeya Mizugaki, is currently ranked sixth in the official bantamweight rankings – five positions above Cruz himself.

PUBLICITY:

At 28, Dominick Cruz has a professional record of 19 wins and just one loss. Former champion of the extinct WEC, an event incorporated by the UFC, the North American was promoted to the status of Ultimate champion when the bantamweight category was inaugurated in the organization. After more than two years without acting, however, Cruz was stripped of the title in February of this year, when he was unable to present himself for the duel against the then interim champion. Renan Barao.