Not all the focus on Super Bowl weekend will be on the NFL, as the UFC announced that it will return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, February 1, 2014, with an exciting fight card featuring two world title bouts.
The main event will showcase two of the top bantamweights in the sport, as reigning champion Dominick Cruz (19-1, fighting out of San Diego) will take on Brazilian and interim champion Renan Barao (33-1). Cruz will be returning to the octagon after a two year hiatus due to injury.
"It's the fight that everyone has been waiting for - champion vs. champion - Dominick Cruz vs. Renan Barao for the 135-pound title," said UFC president Dana White. "Dominick Cruz is the reigning champion and hasn’t lost a fight in six years. He takes on the interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao, who’s been on a tear with a 30-fight win streak and hasn't lost in eight years. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, two of the best 135-pounders on earth: the world is finally going to find out who is the undisputed 135-pound champion!"
In the co-main event, Brazilian and UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo (23-1) will face Chicago's red-hot Ricardo Lamas (13-2), a winner of four straight.
"Aldo has been the 145-pound champion since 2009 and he’s torn through the featherweight division," said White. "But Ricardo Lamas has heavy hands, great wrestling, and will be the toughest test of Aldo's career."
The undercard isn't too shabby either in that it features two of the bigger "name" heavyweight fighters in the sport, as former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir battles former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem in a potential crossroads fight.
Overeem, in particular, is hungry for a much-needed win and career-boost following his positive 2012 drug test, and his consecutive losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne. Meanwhile, Mir will be looking to snap a three-fight losing streak himself.
Tickets for UFC 169 go on sale Friday, November 22 at 10 a.m. ET, and are priced at $400, $250, $175, $100, $80, $65, and $50.
By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services
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