Former UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz has booked his return fight.
Cruz (22-3) is expected to face Casey Kenney at UFC 259 next March. MMA Junkie was first to report news of the booking, which, should it stay intact, will be the ex-champ’s first fight since a failed title bid against Henry Cejudo at UFC 249 this past May.
By Cruz standards, it’s a relatively quick turnaround. The 35-year old has had multiple extended layoffs throughout his career. Prior to the Cejudo fight, his last contest inside the octagon came against Cody Garbrandt in 2016, which law him lose the 135lb title.
“The Dominator” had two reigns as UFC bantamweight champ, with the first picking up from his WEC title reign. Cruz vacated the title in 2011 due to injury, but won the belt back in 2016, defeating T.J. Dillashaw in the process.
Kenney (16-2-1) will be getting a big step up in competition at UFC 259. The 29-year old fighting out of Arizona has won three straight, and is 5-1 overall inside the octagon. The former LFA double champ (flyweight and bantamweight) has lost only to Merab Dvalishvili during his UFC run to date.
UFC 259 is expected to take place March 6, 2021, although a location has not been revealed for the PPV event. The following bouts are currently expected to appear on the card:
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Thiago Santos
Uros Medic vs. Aalon Cruz
Randy Costa vs. Trevin Jones
Joseph Benavidez vs. Askar Askarov
Dominick Cruz vs. Casey Kenney
