Cruz has reportedly suffered an injury in training (making TUF even less relevant) and is out of his UFC 148 rubber match with Urijah Faber. It's in Faber's own best interest to wait it out since the title shot is his. However, the UFC could opt to serve up one of the other top contenders at bantamweight--Brazilian phenom Renan Barao or American standout Michael McDonald. Barao (28-1-1) is already scheduled to fight at the UFC 148 event in a title eliminator against Ivan Menjivar, making him a natural choice to replace Cruz in the co-main event. McDonald (15-1) knocked out Miguel Torres at UFC 145 in April and currently doesn't have a fight booked. The July date should be within his training window. I'd sooner see Barao get the shot since McDonald is so young (21)--maybe put McDonald in there with Menjivar and keep it as a title eliminator?
Re: Dominick Cruz out of UFC 148 with injury, Barao/McDonald to step in vs. Faber? Cruz's rumoured injury is a torn ACL. Could be on the shelf for a while.
Re: Dominick Cruz out of UFC 148 with injury, Barao/McDonald to step in vs. Faber? Dana White @danawhite It's true Cruz blew his ACL. Stay tuned for more info
Re: Dominick Cruz out of UFC 148 with injury, Barao/McDonald to step in vs. Faber? Whats up with title holders and ACL injuries?
Re: Dominick Cruz out of UFC 148 with injury, Barao/McDonald to step in vs. Faber? Faber, to his credit, has called out Barao. Make it happen, Zuffa!
The UFC are really keen on having Urijah Faber in the title picture, so when Dominick Cruz dropped out of his upcoming title defence against Faber with a potentially 9-month ACL tear, the California Kid suggested an interim title. And the UFC has obliged. Either Renan Barao or Michael McDonald are expected to face Faber. A lesser opponent would be, um, maybe curious is the word to use.
