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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=438407" target="_blank">
Cruz: I deserve to come back & get that title shot
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<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=438407" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=80&q=75&x=251&y=64&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=dominick-cruz-07-15-13-23-4-57-319.jpg" /></a>
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<p>UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz has not fought in nearly two years, following a break to tape TUF, and then tearing his ACL, undergoing surgery and rehab and then tearing it again, and undergoing surgery and rehab, again.</p>
Right now 'The Dominator' is taking it one week of rehab at a time.
“It’s very important I don’t overstep my boundaries with those eight weeks," Cruz said on Inside MMA. "I’m only looking eight weeks ahead. I’m not looking seven months ahead. I have to be real with myself. I have to be real with everybody. I can’t come back too soon. I’ve already had double-ACL surgery. This isn’t a game. This is a serious business. This is my livelihood and my life.”
When he does finally step back in the cage, he wants the title on the line, and believes it will be against interim champion Renan Barao.
“That’s who I want right off the bat. If nothing else, I deserve to come back and get that title-shot. I’ve defended the title four times if you count WEC,” said Cruz. “I think I’ve earned the right to be able to come back when I get this knee figured out and fight for the title.”
Thanks to fiveouncesofpain.com for the transcription
Delorian - Wait wut, he finally got stripped of the belt?
I don't think so, I just don't think he sees himself as the actual champion, at this point. Which is a fair assessment, he hasn't fought in like 2 years. Without doubt, he deserves his first fight to be a title fight. I think that's regardless of if he ends up being stripped or not.
Delorian - Wait wut, he finally got stripped of the belt?
I don't think so, I just don't think he sees himself as the actual champion, at this point. Which is a fair assessment, he hasn't fought in like 2 years. Without doubt, he deserves his first fight to be a title fight. I think that's regardless of if he ends up being stripped or not.
Awesome interview. Made me more of a fan. This guy has been going through a whole lot mentally and physically but is keeping a positive outlook on it all and I certainly will be cheering for him to win.
Should have just gone with a patellar or hamstring surgery right off the bat. GSP went with patellar and look where he is now. I did a hamstring graph and it is pretty solid.
When he does come back, he will find out quickly that Barao is no Faber. Injured or not, I think Barao is better, more explosive, and would/will beat Cruz.
The fact that he hasn't been stripped from the belt is a fucking joke. Fucking goofs. You're [trying] to build a division without a champion. Great. How are casual fans supposed to care about 135lbs?
