UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Urijah Faber will be fighting for an interim Bantamweight title at UFC 148 after reigning champion Dominick Cruz has been forced out of action for the near future due to a torn ACL.
White announced the decision Tuesday night on Fuel TV’s “UFC Tonight”. Although an opponent is yet to be picked to face off against Urijah Faber, the yet to be decided opponent will not take Cruz’s place as coach on The Ultimate Fighter. When asked if a interim Bantamweight title will be created and who Faber will face, White said:
“The answer is yes. 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.”
White on Cruz’s injury:
“Dominick was training, not with his team, but for the fight with Faber, and he blew his ACL. Typically, when you blow the ACL, its nine months (to recover). Look at GSP (Georges St-Pierre). He’s an absolute professional and is in amazing shape. He does everything he’s supposed to and he’s out for nine months.”
White on Cruz remaining as coach on The Ultimate Fighter Live:
“Cruz will stay on; Cruz has done a phenomenal job coaching his team. The teams had a chance to become even the other night if Rio would have won, but Ogle beat him, but it’s still neck and neck…”
This interim title news will be music to Faber’s ears as upon hearing the news of Cruz’s injury, Faber took to YouTube to voice his hopes that an interim title should be installed in the Bantamweight division due to the severity of Cruz’s injury. Faber also listed some opponents who in his opinion are the top contenders in the division that he could see himself fighting on the July 7th card:
“I’m hoping for a top contender, Renan Barao in my opinion is next up, Michael McDonald after that, and Ivan Menjivar after, so I’m just waiting to see. I’m ready to scrap July 7th”
UFC 148 will be taking place in Las Vegas, Nev. at the MGM Grand Arena on July 7th. The official card as of now is:
- Middleweight Title bout: Anderson Silva (c) vs. Chael Sonnen
- Interim Bantamweight Title: Urijah Faber vs. TBA
- Light Heavyweight bout: Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz
- Middleweight: Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le
- Welterweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Kim Dong-Hyun
- Bantamweight bout: Renan Barão vs. Ivan Menjivar
- Lightweight bout: Gleison Tibau vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Middleweight bout: Constantinos Philippou vs. Riki Fukuda
- Lightweight bout: Melvin Guillard vs. Fabrício Camões