UFC on FUEL 7: Renan Barão defends bantamweight belt this afternoon

Barão (left) defends interim belt against McDonald (right) this Saturday. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Ultimate returns to Europe this Saturday (16) for the first time in 2013. UFC on FUEL 7 lands in London, England, and features in its main attraction a Brazilian defending his reign in the category. The Potiguar Renan Barao puts the interim bantamweight belt on the line against American Michael McDonald. In addition to Barão, the fight program features two more Brazilians: Jorge Santiago faces Gunnar Nelson, while Renée Forte measures forces against Terry emo.

Barão became interim champion in July 2012, when the champion Dominick Cruz was injured and was unable to defend his belt against Urijah faber. At the time, Ultimate put an interim belt on the line and called on Renan to face Faber. The Brazilian took no notice of his rival and beat the American with a unanimous decision from the judges. The duel against Michael McDonald will be his first title defense.

As much as Renan Barao, Michael McDonald has four wins in four fights in Ultimate. He qualified to face the Potiguar after overcoming Edwin Figueroa, Chris Cariaso, Alex Soto and Miguel Angel Torres in the sequence.

Open Hours:

Different from the usual times for events held on the American continent, UFC on FUEL 7 will start at 14:30 pm (Brasília time). Check out the full event card below, which will be broadcast on the Combate channel:

Main Card

Up to 61,2 kg.: Renan Barao (60,8 kg.) vs. Michael McDonald (60,8 kg.);

Up to 65,8 kg.: Dustin poirier (65,8 kg.) vs. Cub swanson (66,2 kg.);

Up to 93,0 kg.: Cyrille Diabate (93,5 kg.) vs. Jimi Manuwa (92,6 kg.);

Up to 77,1 kg.: Gunnar Nelson (76,6 kg.) vs. Jorge santiago (76,6 kg.);

Up to 93,0 kg.: Ryan Jimmo (93 kg.) vs. James Te Huna (93 kg.);

Up to 77,1 kg.: Che Mills (77,1 kg.) vs. Matthew Riddle (77,1 kg.);

Preliminary Card

Up to 70,3 kg.: Terry emo (70,3 kg.) vs. Renée Forte (70,8 kg.);

Up to 70,3 kg.: Danny Castillo (70,8 kg.) vs. Paul Sass (70,8 kg.);

Up to 65,8 kg.: Josh Grispi (65,3 kg.) vs. Andy Ogle (65,8 kg.);

Up to 84,0 kg.: Stanislav Nedkov (84 kg.) vs. Tom Watson (84 kg.);

Up to 61,2 kg.: Vaughan Lee (60,8 kg.) vs. Motonobu Tezuka (61,2 kg.);

Up to 56,7 kg.: Ulysses Gomez (57,2 kg.) vs. Phil Harris (56,7 kg.).

*All categories have a tolerance of 500g. due to possible errors in adjusting the scales.