Instead of waiting for UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz to be ready, Renan Barao will once against defend the interim bantamweight title and will face Eddie Wineland in the main event of UFC 161.
The news was originally reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN and UFC officials have confirmed the bout.
Barao (30-1, 1NC) has gone 5-0 in the UFC and became the interim bantamweight champion last year at UFC 149 when he defeated Urijah Faber by unanimous decision.
After Cruz suffered a set back in his return from a knee injury, Barao defended the interim title against Michael McDonald last month at UFC on FUEL TV 7 and won the fight in the fourth round by submission.
Wineland (20-8-1) was the first ever WEC bantamweight champion and has won back to back fights after losing his first two fight in the UFC. He has won six of his last eight fights and three of his last four wins are by TKO/KO.
He most recently defeated Brad Pickett at UFC 155 by split decision and it was the third time in his last four fights that he has gone to a decision.
UFC 161 takes place on June 15th from the MTS Centre in Winnipeg and the current fight card is below:
Renan Barao (30-1, 1NC) vs. Eddie Wineland (20-8-1) – Interim BW Title
Dan Henderson (29-9) vs. Rashad Evans (17-3-1)
Mauricio Rua (21-7) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueria (21-5)
Stipe Miocic (9-1) vs. Soa Palelei (18-3)