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-Note: This question was posed to writers on Monday, prior to the UFC announcing that Faber would indeed fight for an Interim Title
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Well, let's tackle this from two directions. First if they don't book an interim title fight, and then if they do book an interim title fight.
Carlos Condit has proven that the previously meaningless UFC Interim title is even less than meaningless with his decision to not defend a phony marketing ploy which was designed solely... to be marketed. Rather, it's sitting on a shelf. That rant isn't germain to the conversation. I just like to bitch.
Anyhooooo, We don't know if Cruz' knee is shredded, or just hurt. So let's say he'll be back in 6 months. If that's the case, I'm booking Faber in a non-title fight against someone who won't beat him, but is credible. Brad Pickett, welcome to the co-main event. In this case, McDonald and Barao are left untouched, and both contenders will be on the same path as before.
Now, if Cruz' knee is shredded, and he's going to be out for close to a year, I'm booking Faber vs. Barao, winner gets the interim title. Of course, I would also write into their contract that they are required to defend the freaking thing at least once whilst waiting for Cruz to return. There is literally zero reason to bestow an interim belt upon someone if they aren't going to defend it. After all, the only reason to have interim champions, or ANY champions for that matter, is to make money. What are they fighting for; they're fighting for this belt, now hand over your money. It is incalculably stoopid to have an interim belt and not defend it.
Finally, why Barao and not McDonald? Because I like McDonald, and I don't particularly want to see the kid choked out in three minutes. Not good for career momentum. McDonald's list of 2 best career victories include the name Cole Escovedo (who beat him previously), so I tend to doubt he's going to hang with a stud like Faber.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Renan Barao should face Uriah Faber for an interim title. Barao is scheduled to face Ivan Menjivar at that same card, but I think Barao has a better case. They could offer Michael McDonald a fight against Menjivar, with the winner getting a possible title shot depending on how things play out with all these guys.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Michael McDonald hands down. The man just tore Miguel Torres to shreds like it was nothing, and he has definitely earned his chance, whether it be for an interim belt or just to earn or maintain the number one contender status. As much as I like Renan Barao he would get taken apart by McDonald, so if its Faber vs. McDonald I think not only do the fans get a more exciting fight, but also a shot at seeing the changing of the guard at the top of the division.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Now that Cruz is out of the title fight, the obvious choice is Renan Barao to face Urijah Faber. Seeing as how the severity of the injury will keep Cruz out past 2012, the fight should be for an interim title while the champ heals up for a return in 2013. The fight between Barao and Faber will be an easy sell seeing as how it's not even the main event for the PPV (that belongs to Silva-Sonnen).
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Injuries are why I am not the biggest fan of TUF. If you watch the show the entire season (many fans this season are not!), and do not get the payoff of seeing the coaches fight, then why do you watch? The UFC has set a precedent with the signing Hector Lombard in order to set up a title match (should he beat Brian Stann), maybe it is time to do that with the bantamweight's. Bibiano
Fernandes is a top five fighter and if the UFC wanted to sign him away from Dream, they could. Eduardo Dantas would fit that same bill and he fights for Bellator. Renan Barao could be removed from his UFC 148 fight with Ivan Menjivar. That is probably what the UFC will do. Barao is the #5 fighter in the world at bantamweight and that would be an amazing fight. This fight should not be for an Interim Bantamweight Title.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
I've heard many mention jump on the Michael McDonald over the last 24 hours but I refuse to get on that bandwagon. He's a fantastic talent but why on earth would anyone think it's a good idea to throw him in with Urijah Faber? Yes he's had some great performances, most notably his recent win over Miguel Torres, but he's not ready for the step up in competition that Faber would provide. There is only one legitimate contender and that's Renan Barao. He's undefeated since his first professional fight back in 2005 and he's recently beaten both Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgensen. Above all he's more experienced, and equally as talented as McDonald and so more deserving. For the record McDonald would be a very good choice to step in and face Ivan Menivar at UFC 148. Even if that means my preferred choice of a rematch between Pickett and Menjivar doesn't happen.
{Urijah Faber art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/roundtables/article_13238.shtml
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