Dominick Cruz's Return To UFC Octagon Still Uncertain; ‘The Dominator’ Not Jumping Into Immediate Title Shot, Believes ‘Things Will Fall Into Place’

Dominick Cruz's return to the UFC Octagon is still uncertain as "The Dominator" still has to give a fixed date. The former champion claimed he's still trying to recover and that he's not immediately jumping into a shot at reclaiming his title.

"The Dominator" last saw action in the UFC in October 2011 against Demetrious Johnson wherein he successfully defended his bantamweight title.

But due to a string of unfortunate events, Dominick Cruz was left in the sidelines for almost three years. On July 2012, he was scheduled for his third UFC title defense against Urijah Faber, but was sidetracked due to a torn ACL in May that year.

He underwent surgery, and was out of action for nine months, forcing the UFC to reschedule a unification title fight for him against then interim champion Renan Barao for February this year.

However, Dominick Cruz' return was once again derailed after he injured his groin, rendering him unable to compete. This gave president Dana White no other choice but to strip him off his title and award Barao the undisputed bantamweight championship.

"The Dominator" is now four months into his rehabilitation and looks to fight at the end of 2014. But when asked about a specific date for his return, he was unable to give a specific answer.

"The reason why I haven't given an exact date yet is because I'm trying to piece my body together," Cruz said in an interview with MMA Fighting. "I haven't been able to kick due to this quad injury and that's been the biggest holdback, is kicking."

"I'm boxing, I'm doing jiu-jitsu, I'm drilling wrestling, but I'm not going all-out in the wrestling and I'm not kicking all out yet," he added.

While the UFC matchmakers have officially stated that Dominick Cruz will be granted a title shot upon his return if he asks for one, the 29-year old native of Chula Vista, California has remained patient, and believes that "things are going to fall into place."

"I'll be right back in the position as long as I deserve it, and I'll work my way through however I need to," he said of the Dominick Cruz return. "I'm not stressing about it because my first love is fighting, and if I need to fight, I don't care who I gotta fight. I just can't wait to get back in there, to be honest."