Heading into UFC 149, Renan Barao was considered by some to be the best MMA fighter without a championship belt around his waist. With his win over Urijah Faber, Barao proved those individuals right and earned the interim bantamweight title.
Barao may now be given the option of defending his strap or waiting to put it on the line for a shot at the undisputed title against Dominick Cruz. While it appears Barao will choose the latter, that option would create a logjam of sorts with up-and-coming contenders like Michael McDonald inching closer to the top of the division.
With another event in the books, let’s take a look at what matchups the UFC should make for Barao and the rest of the UFC 149 competitors.