Renan Barao on UFC 169 title win, controversy, Faber rematch, Cruz fight

Even though he never got the opportunity to fight the UFC’s inaugural bantamweight champion – and despite some complaints of an early stoppage at UFC 169 – Renan Barao has no doubts his title is as legitimate as they come.

On Saturday in UFC 169's pay-per-view headliner, Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) earned a first-round TKO win over Urijah Faber (30-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC), who was a replacement for injured Dominick Cruz. With Cruz on the sidelines for more than two years, a subsequent groin injury that ultimately forced him off the UFC 169 card was the final straw for UFC officials, who stripped him out of the title.

That belt was awarded to interim champ Barao, who became the undisputed titleholder prior to Saturday’s bout at Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center. Now, following the first defense of his undisputed title, Barao believes he’s earned his throne.

“I was already considered the champion before [UFC 169],” he told MMAjunkie on Sunday. “I had already been putting in the hard work and proudly representing my city and my team. And if there were any doubts, I just proved that I am the true champion.”

Barao ran his undefeated streak to 33 fights on Saturday by staggering Faber and then delivering a series of fight-ending hammerfists (watch the Barao vs. Faber video highlights). Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at the 3:42 mark of the opening round, which elicited some boos from fans, as well as an immediate protest from Faber, who had given the ref a thumbs-up signal just prior to the stoppage.

Barao, though, doesn’t believe it was premature, which is the reason he kept looking at Dean during the final barrage of blows.

“I keep looking at him because backstage he said that if your opponent doesn’t show any movement while receiving strikes, he might stop the fight,” he said. “So I kept eyeing him in case he did stop it.

“I was just there to do my job. The referee knows when to act. I just train and fight.”

Barao also defeated Faber for the interim belt in 2012, and though he’s 2-0 against “The California Kid,” he’s not necessarily opposed to a third meeting. But does Faber deserve it, or should he move on to other challengers, such as the winner of an upcoming bout between Raphael Assuncao and Francisco Rivera at UFC 170?

“I don’t know,” Barao said. “Whatever the UFC decides to do is fine by me. If they book [Faber] again, I’ll fight him. I’ll fight anyone. I’m always ready to fight and show my work.”

That also includes a fight with Cruz. The oft-injured ex-champ could be ready to return to the cage this summer, and despite his extended layoff, he’s still one of the bantamweight division’s most accomplished fighters. However, Barao doesn’t believe he needs to post a win against Cruz to truly solidify his standing as the undisputed champ.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said. “The main reason I’d fight Cruz is because the fans want to see it.”

For complete coverage of UFC 169, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.