WINNIPEG – With the bantamweight title picture in major flux, UFC President Dana White said he’s unsure just when his champion will be back – let alone his interim titleholder. With Dominick Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on the shelf for about 20 months since his most recent title defense, interim champ Renan Barao (30-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) was set to put his strap on the line against Eddie Wineland (20-8-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 161, which takes place at MTS Centre in Winnipeg. But Barao suffered a foot injury this past month, wiping that fight out and bumping a light heavyweight bout between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson into the headlining spot. White on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he doesn’t have a prognosis for Cruz or Barao. “No on either,” White said. “I heard for Barao, it was ligaments, and those are never good. You’d actually rather break a bone than have that happen.” White previously has told MMAjunkie.com that in the case of Cruz, who has been sidelined with back-to-back knee surgeries, he wouldn’t be placed in a position where he would be stripped of his title – provided he’s able to return and doesn’t suffer another injury in the process. Then all bets might be off.
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White unsure of Cruz and Barao return dates, would advise Wineland to fight – MMA Junkie