Injured UFC Champion Vacates Title, New Main Event Set For UFC 169

By Chris Featherstone

Dominick Cruz has suffered another injury, forcing the UFC bantamweight champion to vacate his title. Cruz was scheduled to meet Renan Barao at UFC 169 in a title-unification main event.

UFC president Dana White, appearing on Monday's ESPN "SportsCenter," confirmed news of a groin tear for Cruz. In his place will step Urijah Faber to face Barao.

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The card takes place February 1 from Newark, New Jersey. The co-main event features UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo meeting Ricardo Lamas.

Faber (30-6) and Barao (31-1) met before, with the Brazilian scoring a decision victory and the interim title in the process in 2012. Since that loss, "The California Kid" has earned three submissions and a decision, including a recent victory over Michael McDonald last month.

Barao has posted back-to-back stoppage wins over McDonald and Eddie Wineland in title defenses.

"Renan Barao's been tearing through everybody," White remarked. "But Faber's been on a tear, too, with four straight wins against the best in the world."

Cruz (19-1) has been sidelined for more than two years with knee issues. He was set to meet Faber back after the two coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

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