Dominick Cruz will not end his nearly three-year layoff later this month. The former UFC bantamweight champion will not compete at UFC Fight Night 252 on Saturday, February 22, in Seattle, Washington, because he reportedly sustained an injury. However, details of the injury and the updated timeline for his return have not been unveiled.
At 41 years old, Cruz is nearly four years removed from his last win against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269 in 2021. Less than a year afte Cruzr beat Munhoz, Marlon Vera knocked out the former champion in the fourth round of their UFC on ESPN main event. Since then, Cruz has been out of action and was looking to return for a battle with Rob Font.
Font lost four of five fights from December 4, 2021, through December 2, 2023. However, he bounced back with a win against Kyler Phillips on October 19, 2024, and is looking to continue his winning ways at UFC Fight Night 252. Now, the UFC is tasked with finding a replacement for Cruz within two weeks of fight night.
