Renan Barão vs. T.J. Dillashaw to replace Weidman/Machida in UFC 173 main event
UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barão (32-1, 1 NC) will defend his title against T.J. Dillashaw (11-2) in the main event of UFC 173 on May 24, replacing a middleweight championship fight between Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida, after Weidman suffered a minor knee injury that will require surgery.
With wins over Urijah Faber (two), Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland —the second, third and fourth-ranked bantamweights in the world — it was expected Barão would face fifth-ranked Raphael Assuncao in his next title defense.
Because of my injury sustained at UFC 170 (fractured rib) I could NOT take the fight for the title against Barão May 24 UFC 173
I am Sorry!
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) March 28, 2014
This isn't the first time Barão took a fight on short notice to save a card. After an injury to friend and featherweight champion José Aldo prior to UFC 149, Barão took a fight with Faber, for the interim bantamweight title, with a month and a half's notice.