John Lineker is gearing up for his return to the Octagon.

The bantamweight striker, who fractured his jaw in the first round against T.J. Dillashaw in December, is not cleared to compete just yet, but he’s getting close to the finish line.

"I’m already training well,” Lineker told MMA Fighting. "I can’t get hit in the head yet. I’m using a helmet, but I’m already training well.”

Lineker was on a six-fight winning streak when he faced Dillashaw at UFC 207, and says he will be ready to step back inside the cage by the end of July

The Brazilian is currently ranked at No. 4 in the bantamwe.ight division, and former champion Dominick Cruz, one of the fighters he always wanted to face since moving up from 125 pounds, is the only bantamweight ranked above him who currently doesn’t have a fight booked.

However, “Hands of Stone” expects to face someone else in his return.

"I don’t believe the UFC will give me Dominick Cruz,” Lineker said. "They will definitely give me someone else. I’m not sure who I’ll fight next, but it’s definitely not Dominick Cruz.

"I’m here to fight anyone. I want to go back in there and put on a fight."