Former UFC champ Dominick Cruz suffers another ACL injury, sidelined indefinitely

Even Renan Barao, who will in all likelihood be the next fighter to challenge TJ Dillashaw for the bantamweight title in 2015 after turning away Mitch Gagnon last weekend in Brazil (watch it), has to feel bad for Dominick Cruz.

That's because "The Dominator" suffered yet another devastating knee injury, this time on his right side, while training for his upcoming "Viper" fight to reclaim the 135-pound title he never lost. As a result, Cruz (20-1) has been sidelined until further notice.

From his official Facebook page:

"It is with great sadness to report I have experienced another ACL injury. This time it's in the right knee, opposite side of my first and second ACL injuries. Leading up to my last fight in September and after, I have practiced a very careful and methodical training and diet regime to keep my body healthy. Unfortunately, this is beyond my understanding and control. I don't have a timetable for my return but trust and know I will pour my heart and soul into returning to the Octagon. I want to thank the UFC, my fans and my sponsors ahead of time for your support and prayers. I appreciate you more than you could understand. I don't have any other facts to share right now. I, along with my camp, respectfully request privacy at this difficult time. Thank You."

That puts an end to his planned revenge against "Team Alpha Fail."

Cruz, 29, spent three years on the sidelines after a knee injury bounced him from the fight game. The FOX Sports analyst was later stripped of the bantamweight title after tearing his groin, but looked like his old championship self again after obliterating Takeya Mizugaki in his long-awaited Octagon return (see it again here).

"The Dominator" insists we haven't seen the last of him ... but it's hard not to be discouraged by this latest setback.