Sean Sheehan 
At the end of an MMA year absolutely wrecked by injuries there was more bad news today as the former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz confirmed online that he tore his ACL and is out for the foreseeable future.
Cruz became the first UFC bantamweight champion in 2011 when he carried his belt over from the WEC into the Octagon. In his first title defence, Cruz defeated rival Urijah Faber in what turned out to be one of only three fights for the UFC to date.
In his second UFC outing, Cruz defeated current flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson before getting a coaching role alongside Urijah Faber on an Ultimate Fighter series which was due to end in the rivals rematching.
That fight never happened though as Cruz tore his ACL while filming the show – an incident which began a string of three years out of the cage. His surgery was initially thought to be successful but an implanted cadaver failed, meaning another surgery was scheduled and Cruz faced another year on the sidelines. After that Cruz was booked for a unification bout against then interim champion Renan Barao but a groin injury saw the fight cancelled and the American stripped of his title.
Cruz did eventually return, though. The now former champion demolished Takeya Mizugaki in just over a minute at UFC178 and earned himself a shot at the title now held by TJ Dillashaw. Unfortunately for Cruz, this latest injury has now scuppered those plans also.
It is with great sadness to report I have experienced another ACL injury. This time it’s in the right knee,… http://t.co/yazUaD2ZpV
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) December 22, 2014
Cruz wasn’t the only bantamweight injured today, though. Consensus next in line after Cruz, Raphael Assauncao also confirmed via twitter that he had broken his ankle and was out until further notice. This leaves the bantamweight division in turmoil with Renan Barao now likely to get the next shot at the man who beat him so easily earlier in the year.
I am devastated 2 inform that my title shot hopes will be even further delayed due 2 broken ankle suffered in training
I am sorry once again— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 22, 2014
