Dominick Cruz's Sports Injuries
Type of Sport: Mma
Dominick Cruz's Sports Injuries Table
| Type | Area | Date | Consequences | Content | How It Happened | Recovery Duration | Rehabilitation Details | Impact On Career | Psychological Impact | Previous Injuries | Return To Competition | Severity | Treatment | Medical Staff | Long Term Impact | Preventive Measures | Competition Missed | Initial Symptoms | Re Injury Risk | Support System | Rehabilitation Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligament Injuries | Left Knee | 2012-11-30 | Further delayed his return to competition. | While recovering from his right ACL surgery, Cruz tore the ACL in his left knee, compounding his recovery challenges and causing another significant delay in his return. | During rehabilitation from his right knee injury, Cruz tore his ACL in his left knee. | 12 months | Underwent another surgery for the left knee ACL tear followed by physical therapy. | Significantly extended his absence from competition. | Increased mental stress and frustration due to another setback. | Previous right knee ACL tear. | 2014-09-27 | Severe | Surgical repair of the left ACL followed by physical therapy. | Orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. | Increased risk of future knee injuries. | Continued focus on knee strengthening and stability exercises. | Missed additional UFC events and title fights. | Severe pain and instability in the knee. | High, especially with a history of bilateral ACL i | Strong support from his team, family, and fans. | Local sports rehabilitation center. |
| Ligament Injuries | Right Knee | 2011-09-30 | He was forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight. | Dominick Cruz first tore his ACL in his right knee in October 2011, which led to his withdrawal from a scheduled fight against Urijah Faber at UFC 148. | During a training session, Dominick Cruz tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). | 12 months | Underwent surgery to repair the torn ligament, followed by extensive physical therapy. | Missed a significant period of competition, which affected his ranking and momentum. | Frustration and mental stress due to prolonged recovery and inability to compete. | None reported prior to this incident. | 2014-09-27 | Severe | Surgical repair of the ACL followed by physical therapy. | Orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. | Increased risk of future knee injuries. | Strengthening exercises for knee stability and regular check-ups. | Missed multiple UFC events including a title defense. | Severe pain and instability in the knee. | High, due to the nature of ACL injuries. | Support from his team, family, and fans. | Local sports rehabilitation center. |
| Ligament Injuries | Right Knee | 2014-11-30 | Forced to vacate his UFC Bantamweight Championship. | In December 2014, after returning to competition and reclaiming his title, Cruz tore the ACL in his right knee again, leading to another long recovery period and the need to vacate his championship. | During a training session, Cruz sustained another ACL injury in his right knee. | 12 months | Surgery followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation program. | Had to vacate his UFC Bantamweight Championship and miss another year of competition. | Significant mental toll due to repeated setbacks. | Previous right and left knee ACL tears. | 2016-01-17 | Severe | Surgical repair and physical therapy. | Orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. | Chronic knee issues and increased risk of further injuries. | Ongoing knee strengthening and stability exercises. | Missed another year of competition and vacated his title. | Severe pain and knee instability. | Very high given the history of multiple ACL tears. | Continued support from his team, family, and fans. | Local sports rehabilitation center. |
Dominick Cruz's Sports Injuries Videos
Joe Rogan talks to Dominick Cruz about his streak of injuries.
Dominick Cruz discusses his severe injury streak and the mental challenges he faced while recovering. He details the physical and psychological journey of overcoming multiple ACL reconstructions and a torn quad. Cruz explains how he learned to let go of the need to fight and found peace by focusing on other aspects of life, such as coaching and working as an analyst. This mindset shift allowed him to recover and return to fighting with a renewed perspective. He emphasizes the importance of mental health and accepting help during low points, ultimately viewing his struggles as a gift that taught him valuable life lessons.
A History of Dominick Cruz's Injuries
Dominick Cruz is a fascinating and often inspirational figure in the MMA community, but his career has been plagued by numerous injuries. Despite his immense talent and determination, Cruz has repeatedly faced setbacks just as he seemed to recover. His injury history includes a broken hand in 2010, a torn ACL in 2012, and subsequent complications that kept him out of the Octagon for nearly three years. He made a significant comeback in 2014, only to suffer another ACL tear in his other knee. Despite these challenges, he won the bantamweight title again and defended it successfully. However, more injuries followed, including plantar fasciitis and a broken arm. As of 2019, Cruz faced another setback with torn shoulder ligaments. While his perseverance is inspirational, the repeated injuries have left his career feeling unfinished. Even if he retires from fighting, Cruz is expected to remain a prominent figure in the sport through his commentary and analysis.
