“Renan Barao is a champion. If you look at Renan Barao and what he has done, he’s beaten everybody that Dominick Cruz would be fighting if Dominick Cruz was healthy and was the champion. So, [the interim label] takes nothing away from [Barao], other than just that pin, that place holder until Dominick Cruz comes back… But for all intents and purposes, Renan Barao is the real champion. He’s the one that’s beating the guys that need to be beaten.”

While on the UFC 168 world tour, UFC President Dana White, told the fans and media in Brazil that their own, Renan Barao, should be considered the real world champion despite holding the interim title.