Monday 18 January 2016 09:42, UK
Dominick Cruz ended his injury nightmare by stunningly reclaiming his bantamweight championship from TJ Dillashaw on Sunday night.
The returning Cruz looked like he had never spent time on the treatment table as he matched Dillashaw step-for-step in a nip-and-tuck contest, eventually claiming a split decision.
Cruz had been stripped of the belt without losing after being cursed by two terrible knee injuries, limiting him to just one fight that lasted only a minute in the previous four years, during which time Dillashaw emerged as the new title-holder.
But Cruz (21-1) began a second run as 135lbs champion after successfully implementing his fleet-footed style against Dillashaw (12-3) in Boston to edge a 48-47, 46-49 and 49-46 judges' scorecard.
The new champion completed three takedowns in the fight, the first times Dillashaw had been taken off his feet in his UFC career. Cruz was also mesmeric with his footwork, often forcing his less experienced opponent to swing at thin air. Dillashaw also found success, forcing Cruz to limp over the finish line with a badly damaged leg, but it wasn't enough to keep his title.
Elsewhere, Eddie Alvarez secured a points victory over Anthony Pettis while Travis Browne controversially knocked out Matt Mitrione after two unpunished eye pokes. Sunderland's Ross Pearson lost a decision to Francisco Trinaldo.
