Renan Barao vs Michael McDonald set for title bout at UFC on FUEL in London

Source: MMAJunkie/Twitter

UFC on FUEL 7 in London, England on 16th February will host Renan Barao vs Michael McDonald for the interim bantamweight championship.

Earlier in the week, it was announced that champion Dominick Cruz, had to undergo a second ACL surgery on his knee and was therefore out of action for at least 6-9 months.

With Cruz already out for over a year, it looks as if the UFC will be forced to strip him of him 135lb crown, with a view to keeping the division moving, as they did with Frank Mir after his motorcycle crash during his first run as champion.

Barao recently told MMAjunkie.com he was already prepared to move on without Cruz.

“I was OK with the news because a lot of people were already speculating that I wasn’t going to face Cruz,” he said. “I wasn’t that focused on him. I’ll be prepared for whoever they put against me. … I already had it in my mind that I could fight McDonald. He’s coming off of good wins and good knockouts. It makes sense.”

Tickets went on pre-sale to UFC Fight Club members yesterday

The tweet sent out from the UFC’s official UK Twitter account, read as follows

“Europe will see its 1st battle for the bantamweight belt at #UFCLondon2013 when @RenanBaraoUFC takes on @MayDayMcDonald at @wembleyarena!”

More at MMAJunkie/Twitter