UFC
Michael McDonald reportedly injured, out of running for UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship at UFC 148
May 18, 2012 - 9:25:59 AM Michael McDonald reportedly injured, out of running for UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship at UFC 148

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Urijah Faber's new opponent for UFC 148 will be announced tonight during the new live edition of The Ultimate Fighter on FX, but according to one report, it won't be the UFC's first choice in that spot.

According to Dave Meltzer at The Wrestling Observer, the UFC's original plan was to put Michael McDonald into the fight with Faber, which will be for the UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship on July 7. However, Meltzer reports, via UFC President Dana White, that McDonald is currently dealing with a hand injury that makes him not available for the event. No further information on the nature of the injury was available, only that the hand was "messed up."

Though Meltzer didn't have confirmation on the opponent to be announced tonight, it's still expected to be 25-year-old Brazilian Renan Barao, who was already scheduled for a bout on the July 7 card.

Penick's Analysis: McDonald would have made sense in some respects, as he'd have been coming in off of a massive first round knockout of former WEC Champ Miguel Torres last month. Still, a fight with such an experienced fighter with a great grappling base may not have been the best thing for the 21-year-old at this point. Barao hasn't lost since his MMA debut in 2005, and he's won three straight in the UFC. He's the right name for the fight, and he's expected to be announced as Faber's opponent tonight.