Interim Champ Barao Says He Is The True Champ, Not Cruz

When Renan Barao faced off and defeated Urijah Faber at UFC 149 he was crowned the UFC’s interim bantamweight champion in the absence of the injured Dominick Cruz.

He has since had one successful title defense against Michael McDonald in the year he has held the interim title and apparently that’s enough for the Brazilian place holder to consider himself the real undisputed champion of the world.

Here is what he told Fighters Only.

“I consider myself the champion. It’s me who is training, fighting, defending the belt, not him.”

Cruz has been out with multiple injuries and surgeries since October of 2011.