It looks like Raphael Assuncao will get his title shot in 2014.
Unbeaten since cutting down to 135 pounds in the UFC with six straight victories, Assuncao was offered to fight Renan Barao at UFC 173 main event in May, but had to decline the offer due to an injury.
T.J. Dillashaw, who lost to Assuncao last October, will headline the card against Barao, and Assuncao expects to fight the champion later in 2014.
“Because of my rib injury and not being cleared by the doctors, I couldn’t get the title fight at UFC 173 on May 24,” Assuncao wrote on his Facebook page. “I’m upset, but I’ll be training and waiting for my shot, and I will be the next challenger.”
Assuncao sustained a rib injury in his unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 170 in February, but is confident that he will be ready to beat whomever wins at UFC 173.
“I will be focused and you can believe that when the time comes, I won’t just fight for the title, but to be the new champion,” he said. “I only fight to win, and I have a plan for everything I do.”
Dillashaw, who was initially scheduled to take on Takeya Mizugaki on May 24, enters the cage fresh off a dominant win over Mike Easton. Barao, unbeaten over the last 33 fights, looks to defend the bantamweight title for the fourth time.