Barao could face McDonald next

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Quote :: "We were talking about Barao defending his title now," White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) following Saturday's post-UFC 154 press conference. "So whether he wants to wait or not, we're going to go back to him soon probably here and have him defend it."

Barao, of course, defeated Urijah Faber at this past July's UFC 149 event to claim the UFC's interim bantamweight belt. At the time, White wasn't sure what the future would hold for the Brazilian phenom as the division's true champion, Dominick Cruz, rehabbed his knee injury. Nearly four months later, Cruz is still on the mend, and White said it's time for Barao to defend his interim strap.

While White wasn't firm on who would get that shot at Barao, he did suggest there was space for McDonald, who currently boasts an eight-fight win streak that includes four UFC appearances and one win under the WEC banner.

"I think so," White said when asked if "Mayday" was the likely challenger.