Dominick Cruz Returns, Faces Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 178
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is set to make his long-awaited return at UFC 178 against Takeya Mizugaki, UFC officials confirmed on Tuesday evening.
The bout is added to the developing pay-per-view card, which is set to take place on Sept. 27 at a yet-to-be-determined venue in Las Vegas. ESPN.com initially reported the bout.
Cruz hasn't fought since 2011, when he defeated Demetrious Johnson at UFC Live 6 in October of that year. Following the bout, Cruz dealt with a number of issues with his knee, needing surgery on two occasions to repair a troubled ACL.
A bout with then-interim champion Renan Barao was to be Cruz's return from the sidelines, but another injury forced him out of the bout and spurred UFC officials to strip him of the title. Barao was named champion at that time.
Mizugaki has been on a career run since 2012, winning five fights in a row within the Octagon. The Japanese fighter most recently went the distance with Francisco Rivera, winning a unanimous decision at UFC 173 last May.
UFC 178 is currently scheduled to be headlined by a light heavyweight title rematch between champion Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson.
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