• UFC London

McDonald and Barao weigh in at 134lbs

ESPN staff
February 15, 2013
Michael McDonald will become the youngest champion in UFC history if he wins on Saturday © Getty Images
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Both UFC 135-pound interim champion Renan Barao and contender Michael McDonald made weight for Saturday's title bout in London, as each tipped the scales at 134 pounds.

Barao (29-1-0, with one no contest) will be making the first defence of the belt he captured on July 21 with a unanimous decision victory over former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

An interim title became necessary due to a knee injury suffered by lineal champion Dominick Cruz, who has been sidelined for nearly one-and-a-half years.

If McDonald (15-1) leaves the Octagon victorious on Saturday, he will supplant light heavyweight title-holder Jon Jones as the youngest champion in UFC history. McDonald is 22 years old; Jones was 23 when he lifted the 205-pound belt from Mauricio Rua in March 2011.

Every fighter on the card made weight for his respective bout, including co-main event featherweight participants Cub Swanson and Dustin Poirier.

Swanson came in at 146 pounds, while Poirier made the fight official by checking at 145. The winner of this fight is expected to receive strong consideration for a title shot.

Poirier, who took the fight on short notice after Dennis Siver withdrew due to injury, has a professional record of 13-2. Swanson (18-5) has won three fights in a row.

This story first appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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