WINNIPEG – With the bantamweight title picture in major flux, UFC President Dana White said he’s unsure just when his champion will be back – let alone his interim titleholder. With Dominick Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on the shelf for about 20 months since his most recent title defense, interim champ Renan Barao (30-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was set to put his strap on the line against Eddie Wineland (20-8-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 161, which takes place at MTS Centre in Winnipeg. But Barao suffered a foot injury this past month, wiping that fight out and bumping a light heavyweight bout between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson into the headlining spot. White on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he doesn’t have a prognosis for Cruz or Barao. “No on either,” White said. “I heard for Barao, it was ligaments, and those are never good. You’d actually rather break a bone than have that happen.” White previously has told MMAjunkie.com that in the case of Cruz, who has been sidelined with back-to-back knee surgeries, he wouldn’t be placed in a position where he would be stripped of his title – provided he’s able to return and doesn’t suffer another injury in the process. Then all bets might be off.
BAD MMA Trending Cloud
UFC • Bellator • Conor Mcgregor • news • PFL • Jon Jones • ta block • Daniel Cormier • Dustin Poirier • Khabib Nurmagomedov • videos • AXS TV Fights • Francis Ngannou • WSOF • Jorge Masvidal • Anderson Silva • Nate Diaz • Ronda Rousey • Amanda Nunes • Dana White • Max Holloway • Donald Cerrone • ufc news • Michael Bisping • Tony Ferguson • Kamaru Usman • Demetrious Johnson • Alexander Volkanovski • Henry Cejudo • Michael Chandler • Jose Aldo • Charles Oliveira • One Championship • Aljamain Sterling • featured • Derrick Lewis • Tyron Woodley • Georges St Pierre • Holly Holm • Stipe Miocic
- MMA News (105303)
- After resting his body and brain, UFC’s Beneil Dariush targets end of summer return
- Dana White roasts Tom Brady and woke ideology
- ‘This is my prime’: Derrick Lewis has ‘something special’ in store for UFC on ESPN 56 main event
- Top flyweight contenders Manel Kape, Muhammad Mokaev targeted for UFC 304 clash
- Benoit Saint Denis: Islam Makhachev favored at UFC 302, but ‘nobody can give Dustin Poirier no chance’
- UFC 301 a night to remember for Alessandro Costa: TKO win, $50K bonus, praise from idol Jose Aldo
- Anthony Smith explains why he declined new fight offer immediately after UFC 301 win
- UFC champ Alex Pereira donates $100,000 in response to Brazil floods, plans additional $20,000
- NYSAC executive director Kim Sumbler resigns from position
- Video: Jon Jones calls for UFC heavyweight title fight vs. Alex Pereira. Fair or foul?