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Bantamweight Injury Bug Could Lead to Renan Barao-T.J. Dillashaw UFC Title Rematch

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By @RickLaFitte

T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao exchanges punches during bantamweight title clash at UFC 173

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Even though his performance at Fight Night 58 didn’t exactly have fans clamouring to see Renan Barao get his UFC title rematch against T.J. Dillashaw just yet, an unfortunate set of injury circumstances would appear to have the former 135-pound champion at the front of the line.

Dillashaw was expected to make his second title defense in 2015 against former champion Dominick Cruz, however, the injury-prone former titlist is back on the sidelines with his third ACL tear. He’s expected to be out of action for another extended period of time. When that news broke, attention quickly turned to Raphael Assuncao as possibly being next man up. However, the Brazilian is also on the shelf after sustaining a broken ankle in training. Assuncao would have made for a solid Plan B given that he’s won seven-consecutive fights, including a split-decision victory over Dillashaw.

So now the UFC is left to sift through the recent bantamweight injury carnage and determine the best available option for “The Viper.” All signs would appear to point to Dillashaw-Barao 2 being booked. Dillashaw ended the Brazilian’s 33-fight undefeated streak in emphatic fashion when he knocked out the champion in the fifth-round of their initial clash at UFC 173 in Las Vegas.

It was easily the biggest upset of the year, and has made Dillashaw a strong contender for Fighter of the Year. The pair were due to meet in Sacramento at UFC 177, but Barao was forced out of the main event after collapsing from the effects of a brutal weight cut. Unheralded Joe Soto replaced him and was knocked out by Dillashaw after putting forth a good effort in his Octagon debut.

Barao made a successful return this past weekend in Brazil, and ended a rough year on a high note by submitting Mitch Gagnon in the third round of their co-main event clash. Barao secured a Performance of the Night bonus, and again made it clear in his post-fight interview that he has revenge on his mind against Dillashaw.

While it appeared as though Barao would likely need another win to set up an opportunity to fight for gold again, the injuries to Cruz and Assuncao have clearly shuffled the deck in his favor. “The Baron” seems to be the prime candidate still standing.

The only other possibility to consider would be three-time former title challenger Urijah Faber. However, that’s highly unlikely to happen, given that Faber and Dillashaw are good friends and training partners at Team Alpha Male. Neither man has expressed an interest in facing one another, but for the right amount of money, it would a tantalizing proposition for the organization to think about.

Dillashaw-Barao 2 would appear to have the inside track as the next bantamweight title fight. There were plenty of complaints when their immediate rematch was first booked for UFC 177, however, this time around, it would appear that the promotion is left with no other choice.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports.

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