UFC interim champ Renan Barao – Image by Anne-Marie Sorvin – US PRESSWIRE
A report from Brazilian news site Tatame.com has UFC bantamweight interim champ Renan Barão (30-1, 1NC) withdrawing from his upcoming UFC 161 title defense due to injury.
According to the website Barão injured his right foot and will not recover in time before the June 15th date.
Barão was to have faced Eddie Wineland in the main event of UFC 161, scheduled for next month in the promotions first visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
This was to have been Barão’s second title defense after submitting Michael McDonald last February in London, England at UFC on FUEL TV 7. The Brazilian has remained undefeated in thirty-one straight matches including six inside the Octagon and two under the WEC banner.
No official word has come from the Ultimate Fighting Championship as to whether the bout will be delayed or a new opponent will be found for Wineland.
Due to the prickly nature of injuries, and losses by fighters facing underdogs in situations like this one, I expect Wineland will wait the month it will take Barão to heal.