Interim champion Renan Barao (30-1) has claimed this morning that UFC bantamweight Dominick Cruz (19-1) is set to make eagerly anticipated return early next year.
Barao who is currently riding one of MMA’s longest winning streaks, stretching back to April 2005 and 30 fights, has held the interim belt since July 2012 when he defeated Urijah Faber at UFC 149. He has since gone on to make 1 successful defense against Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel TV 7, in London, England this past February.
Barao told MMAFighting.com: “He (Cruz) told me he’s returning (to fighting) on February. I was really happy to hear that. I hope he can return so we can finally fight.”
Despite what seems positive news Barao still has the little matter of a title defense against Eddie Wineland (20-8-1) at UFC 165, which is scheduled to take place at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 21st to deal with. Baroa also said when speaking about his upcoming fight:
“My focus now is on Wineland,” he said. “He’s a tough dude, has been doing great fights. I’m well-trained and I will set a good strategy to do my best on Sept. 21.”
In stark contrast current champion Dominick Cruz hasn’t stepped into the octagon since October, 2011 when he defended his UFC bantamweight title against current flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson, but if Barao is to be believed that will all change during the first few months of the new year.
