After a days worth of speculating, UFC President Dana White cleared the air as to what will happen with Urijah Faber at UFC 148. Going back two steps, earlier yesterday, Dominick Cruz announced that he was forced to withdraw from his UFC 148 bantamweight title bout against Urijah Faber after he blew out his ACL in training.
Dana White confirmed on Tuesday’s episode of UFC Tonight that Faber will remain on the UFC 148 card against an opponent to be determined.
“So what’s going to happen is Urijah Faber will, he’s going to fight still, he’s going to fight on the same card. Now, I’m looking for the right opponent. The guy who deserves this shot at Urijah Faber,” said White.
Shortly after yesterday’s announcement, Urijah made it clear that he wanted to fight for the interim title and that is what will happen. “The answer is yes,” White confirmed about an interim title.
Faber was also interviewed on the show and shared his reaction to the news of him fighting for the interim title.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of that, I think that’s the best idea, Dominick’s been out since his last fight, he had his hand surgery, now he’s out another surgery so a year and a half, and I think Renan Barao or Ivan Menjivar or maybe Michael McDonald, but I’m not sure.”
When Faber spoke out yesterday the name he said was ready for the shot was Renan Barao and that name has been circulating amongst the media over the past couple days.
“He’s as tough an opponent as Dominick, but a little more dangerous. A little bit slower on his feet, but has a lot of ways to win,” Faber stated about Barao.
With no opponent named as of yet, we will see whether the UFC changes things up and places Renan Barao against Faber, instead of Ivan Menjivar. Or will Michael McDonald get the shot after he KO’d former bantamweight title holder Miguel Torres?
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