After two years of inactivity due to a series of recurrent knee injuries UFC bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz (19-1) has encountered yet another setback. A groin tear means that Cruz will be unable to fight interim champ Renan Barao (31-1) in the main event of UFC 169 on Feb. 1. Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber (30-6) has stepped in on three and a half weeks notice to take on Barao.

The announcement was made by UFC president Dana White on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Monday night. He revealed that Cruz has vacated the title meaning that Barao becomes the new bantamweight champion.

“Renan Barao’s been tearing through everybody,” White said. “But Faber’s been on a tear, too, with four straight wins against the best of the world. Not only is he ready for this, the guy’s an absolute stud and is taking the fight on three weeks’ notice.”

Urijah Faber is currently riding a four fight winning streak, most recently defeating Michael McDonald via second round submission at UFC on FOX 9 in December 2013. Prior to that he picked a unanimous decision victory over Yuri Alcantara in August 2013, secured a fourth round submission over Scott Jorgensen at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale in April 2013, and submitted Ivan Menjivar in the first round of their matchup at UFC 157 in February 2013. Faber now has the chance to take home bantamweight gold with a good performance on February 1st.

Barao last fought at UFC 165 in September 2013, where he scored a second round TKO win over Eddie Wineland. Prior to that he submitted Michael McDonald in the fourth round of their matchup at UFC on FUEL TV 7 in February 2013, and earned a unanimous decision win over Urijah Faber in their first encounter at UFC 149 in July 2012. Barao will no doubt look to solidify himself as the new champion with a big win over Faber.

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