For the first time since December 2016 Dominick Cruz will step into the octagon on May 9 and just like his last outing in the cage, it will have a world title on the line.

Cruz’s injury-plagued latter career has seen him restricted to just four fights dating back to to October 2011 but regardless of any possibilities of ring-rust, he will find himself a fight away from being a world champion after Dana White revealed plans to hold an event next month topped by three world title fights.

Cruz will replace Jose Aldo in the fight after the Brazilian was unable to travel to the United States and comes despite contenders Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan being, on paper at least, the division’s top contenders.

‘The Dominator’ isn’t fazed by any such talk however, and has already begun firing verbal salvos at the current champion Cejudo.

And it’s Still On! https://t.co/X0NzKuw46i

— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) April 15, 2020

Cejudo vs. Cruz will join an interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje as well as a women’s featherweight clash between Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer on the card which also boasts contests like Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone.

Further details, such as a confirmed location, are yet to be revealed for the event but speculation suggests that it will be in one of three states: Florida, California or Texas, dependent on discussions with the relevant athletic commissions presumably.

Either way the UFC, and Dana White, remain undaunted by the cancellation of the UFC 249 which was to take place this weekend following pressure from top brass in ESPN and Disney and will push forward with their ‘the show must go on’ mantra — for now, at least.