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[Cat--Smasher]

UFC boss says interim champ Renan Barao likely to fight again before unification bout

With UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz still uncertain when he'll return to action, UFC president Dana White believes new interim champ Renan Barao (29-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will defend his title before the belts are unified.

White revealed the tentative plan following Saturday night's UFC 149 event in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where Barao downed Urijah Faber (26-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) to claim the interim title.

"Renan's not injured at all," White said. "He'll fight again. He's not hurt, and we'll see what happens."

Cruz is currently sidelined after undergoing a June surgery to repair a blown ACL. While White is optimistic the champion will return at full strength, he pointed to injured welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre, who will miss almost one full year due to a similar procedure, as proof of the length of time it may take for Cruz to return.

"Look at how long GSP's been out," White said. "They had the same exact surgery."

For his part, the new interim champ seemed open to all options, putting to rest some of the pre-fight speculation that he would elect to wait for Cruz rather than defend the interim title against a new challenger.

"I'm an employee of the UFC," Barao told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) through an interpreter. "I'll fight whenever they ask me to."

UFC boss says interim champ Renan Barao likely to fight again before unification bout | MMAjunkie.com

[Sakara=Excitement]

Good. Renan was saying he was going to wait ala Carlos Condit so it's good they will have him fight.

The interim title is to keep the division moving when the current champ is unable to do so.

[MickeyKnox]

While Cruz is injured, Barao steps into the picture, beats up Faber, and erases for now the trilogy fight. The only other fight that sticks out in my eyes at the moment within the BW division for Barao is Michael McDonald. As awesome as a fight that could be, this will have eliminated two exciting names that I was looking forward to fighting Cruz for the title. I hate injuries!

Barao VS McDonald would establish a clear cut contender, IMO, for Cruz when he gets back. He will have his hands full with whoever is waiting for him coupled with the layoff.

[Cat--Smasher]

Renan Barao Surprised by Boos, Says Next Fight Will Be More Fan-Friendly

Renan Barao won the UFC interim bantamweight title Saturday night at UFC 149, but the Brazilian did not win over the crowd.

While those in attendance at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, may have been influenced by the preceding two bouts on the card -- both of which went to the judges’ scorecards in unspectacular fashion -- boos nonetheless rang out among the 16,000-plus fans as Barao (Pictured, file photo) calmly controlled the cage in the evening’s headliner and stifled highly regarded opponent Urijah Faber.

Though UFC President Dana White defended the main event as a measured, technical battle that should not be grouped in with the aforementioned duo of disappointing pay-per-view bouts, Barao stated that he hopes to put forth a more fan-friendly performance in his next outing.

“I’m very happy. Faber is a great fighter and a great human being. I would like to thank him for speaking out my name to fight against him. I was a bit surprised [by the boos], but that’s a good message. Next time, I will try to play a different game,” Barao said at the post-fight press conference following his unanimous decision win. “I was trying to become the champ, so I was trying to be careful as well, but next time, I’ll try to play a different game to please the crowd a little more.”

Barao used his superior reach to keep Faber at bay while landing shots on “The California Kid.” Though Faber gamely attempted to navigate the long limbs of Barao throughout the five-round affair, the onetime WEC featherweight champion came up short in his second attempt at capturing UFC gold.

“My strategy was to keep my distance, because he has a really strong right hand and I had the reach advantage,” said Barao. “So, if I could keep my reach advantage and hit him and get out, it would be better for me. That’s why my coaches designed that strategy.”

With the interim title belt now securely around his waist, Barao appears poised to confront divisional ruler Dominick Cruz -- the man Barao replaced in tonight’s main event after “The Dominator” was forced to withdraw from his rubber match with Faber due to an ACL tear. Though Barao now stands just one fight way from being regarded by most as the best bantamweight on the planet, the Nova Uniao product did not call out Cruz following tonight’s victory. Instead, the Brazilian says he will take his cues from the UFC and his coaching staff.

“It’s not up to me to decide who I fight next. It’s up to the UFC, and I’m an employee of the UFC. I’ll fight anyone,” said Barao. “Dominick Cruz is a great champ and athlete, but my strategy will be up to my coach to decide. What I can say is that I will train as hard as I can, just like I did for this fight, so I can get a win.”

Renan Barao Surprised by Boos, Says Next Fight Will Be More Fan-Friendly

[Sakara=Excitement]

“I was trying to become the champ, so I was trying to be careful as well, but next time, I’ll try to play a different game to please the crowd a little more.”

Not likely. Now that you've tasted gold, you'll probably play it safer than this past fight.

[The Donosaur]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

Not likely. Now that you've tasted gold, you'll probably play it safer than this past fight.

I thought I tasted gold once, but it turned out to be one of those damn chocolate coins with the gold tin foil shit. I've played it safe since then too. I refuse to be tricked by chocolate again.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

I always thought that Cruz was one of the less dominant champs, even considering the division he was in. He has a difficult style to train for, but he is for from being like some of the other champs.

Barao would beat him... If cruz is out too long, then have him fight again.

[disposableassassin]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

Good. Renan was saying he was going to wait ala Carlos Condit so it's good they will have him fight.

The interim title is to keep the division moving when the current champ is unable to do so.

This 100% this should be the intent of making an interim belt.

That said though, if barao does defend before Cruz's return wouldn't this be the first actual defense of an interim belt in the UFC?

[TheDoucheyWun]

I think the fight we are going to see next is between ZUFFA and Nova Uniao when Joe Silva tries to get Renan in the cage against someone before Cruz.

[Rumble]

Barao vs Michael "Mayday" McDonald. Make it happen and let the bombs drop!