Urijah Faber’s new opponent to be announced on this Friday’s ‘TUF Live’

UFC president Dana White will on Friday announce Urijah Faber’s new opponent for UFC 148, where “The California Kid” and the soon-to-be-named foe will compete for the newly minted UFC interim bantamweight title.

The replacement slot was necessitated when opposing coach and current bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz was forced to bow out of the card with a blown ACL.

“TUF: Live” features Cruz and Faber as opposing coaches. Following a two-and-a-half-hour debut episode in which an initial group of 32 was whittled down to 16, the series continues with one or two fights each week. After pre-taped content, the lightweights-only show concludes with live bouts.

The 11th episode sees Team Cruz’s Vinc Pichel vs. Team Faber’s Chris Saunders and a bout between teammates, as Team Faber’s Al Iaquinta faces Andy Ogle.

The winner advance to the season’s semifinal bouts. Leading candidates to face Faber in July include Renan Barao, who is currently scheduled to face Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148, and Michael McDonald, who recently earned an impressive knockout win over Miguel Torres.

Menjivar could also warrant some consideration based on his three-fight win streak, as could perennial contender Brad Pickett, who recently earned a “Fight of the Night” win over Damacio Page.

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