Dominick Cruz begins sparring and has a timetable for his return

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz has started training again after suffering numerous injuries that have kept him out of action for around 31 months. The former champ was stripped of his belt after he pulled out of his UFC 169 bout with Renan Barao when he suffered a groin tear.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa) 

Cruz has begun sparring and has revealed how long it will take him to be able to return to the Octagon.  He says that he will be ready to return to the Octagon in 2-4 months. The news of Cruz's return comes at the worst possible time for Former Champion Renan Barao.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa) 

Barao lost his championship to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 173 and an immediate rematch does not look likely as he was dominated for the better part of five rounds before being stopped in the fifth. Barao has beaten most of the guys in the top 10 and it seemed like he would have to go through one or two of them to gain a shot at the title, but with Dominick Cruz now in the mix, it is possible that the UFC will put Barao against Cruz.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa)

If the UFC does make the match-up of former champions, my early prediction is Dominick Cruz.  Why, you say?  Eddie Wineland utilized movement in the first round of his title fight with Barao and Barao couldn't hit him, Dillashaw did it for the whole fight and Barao didn't land many hard shots. In my opinion, Barao's weakness is when his opponent uses their feet and moves around a lot, another opinion of mine is that Dominick Cruz has better movement that both TJ Dillashaw and Eddie Wineland, so where does that leave Barao? I think it leaves him in a fight he can't win (if it is made).

What do you think about Cruz's return, do you think he will fight Renan Barao and if so, what's your prediction, if not, who should Dominick Cruz fight? Tweet me at @JohnKingMMA.


-John.