Could losing the UFC title be a blessing in disguise for Dominick Cruz?

As former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz‘s layoff continued to get longer and longer, there was a growing sentiment behind the scenes that perhaps he would be best served by giving up the belt and taking a warmup fight upon his return. With that choice now made for him, could it be a blessing in disguise?

UFC President Dana White sure doesn’t think so.

“No way it’s for the best,” White flatly told MMAjunkie.

Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who was awarded the UFC’s inaugural bantamweight title after defeating Scott Jorgensen at the WEC’s final event, defended the belt twice in 2011 but hasn’t fought since. A series of knee surgeries kept him on the sidelines, and Brazilian phenom Renan Barao (31-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) ascended to the top of the division in Cruz’s absence. With an astonishing 31-fight winning streak, Barao in 2012 earned the interim belt with a win over Urijah Faber and then twice defended it with victories over Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland.

With most MMA observers accepting that cage rust is a real problem for competitors returning from extensive layoffs, many suggested a planned Cruz vs. Barao unification match could prove problematic for the incumbent titleholder.

Cruz previously told MMAjunkie he didn’t buy into the theory that moving down the ranks might prove a smarter play, and White said he fully supports the former champ’s line of thinking.

“He wanted [Barao],” White said. “That’s the fight he wanted. He was the champ, and he wanted that fight.”

Cruz and Barao, of course, were scheduled to meet at next month’s UFC 169 event in New Jersey. Unfortunately for Cruz, a torn groin forced him out yet again, and White said the company had no choice but to strip him of the belt and award it to Barao.

“This kid, if it wasn’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all,” White said. “I couldn’t feel more sorry for a guy than I do with Dominick Cruz.”

But could this ultimately prove beneficial for Cruz in his rise back to the top of the division? Could the opportunity to face lower-ranked contenders make it easier for the 28-year-old to test out his body as he looks to get the title wrapped back around his waist?

White doesn’t seem to think so. For now, he doesn’t even know when this layoff, currently sitting at some 27 months, is going to end.

“Who knows now?” White asked. “Every time the kid’s supposed to come back, he gets hurt.

“(Frank) Mir got hit by a freaking car and wasn’t out this long.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Dominick Cruz)