WEC Champ Cruz in Cast for 7 Weeks

Newly crowned WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz’s right hand will remain in a cast for seven more weeks, said the fighter’s head trainer Eric DelFierro on Wednesday. MRI results revealed torn tendons and ligaments, as well as a hair-line fracture in Cruz’s hand and wrist following his March 6 victory over Brian Bowles at WEC 47 in Columbus, Ohio.

DelFierro said Cruz also suffered a small break in his foot during his two-round encounter against Bowles, who also broke his hand in the bout and couldn’t continue into the third round. However, an X-ray showed the Cruz’s foot sustained a minor injury that is healing quickly on its own and no further treatment will be needed for it.

The 25-year-old Cruz, who hails from the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., hopes to begin sparring again in six to seven weeks, said DelFierro. DelFierro anticipates that Cruz would be able to defend his crown approximately eight weeks after he resumes full-time training.

In the interim, Cruz already re-joined his team for a week-long high-altitude training camp in Big Bear, Calif., to help prepare Brandon Vera for his light heavyweight bout against Jon Jones at UFC on Versus 1, which airs this Saturday from Broomfield, Colo., on the Versus network. Cruz is training Brazilian jiu-jitsu and still working his strength and conditioning program, said DelFierro. Cruz’ physician has agreed to replace the fighter’s cast every week so he can keep his training schedule.

WEC officials had told Sherdog.com last week that Cruz’ recovery would likely dictate which 135-pound matchups the promotion will schedule next. Joseph Benavidez, who Cruz beat by unanimous decision last August at WEC 42, looms as an immediate challenger after submitting former champion Miguel Torres in the second round at WEC 47.