UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barão (29-1-1 NC) will remain on the sidelines until the divisions champion Dominick Cruz (19-1) returns to unify the titles. Barão's coach, Andre Pederneiras spoke about the decision.

"He just won the title, just fought," said Pederneiras to UOL. "We will wait. Look how long the wait was for [Carlos] Condit and GSP to unify the belt?"

Cruz remains out of action with an ACL injury. He last fought just over a year ago in October 2011, when he defended his bantamweight championship for the second time.

Urijah Faber (26-6) was the only person to hand Cruz the taste of defeat. Barão defeated Faber in July to become the interim champion. After Barão lost in first MMA fight, he has gone on to win the last 29 of them over the span of seven years.

Cruz's return date is unknown.

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