Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight Champion and former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) coach Dominick Cruz will be sponsored by the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) for his 135-pound title unification bout against Interim division title holder Renan Barao in 2013.

From PIR President Bryan R. Sperber:

"We are very excited to be sponsoring Dominick Cruz in his upcoming championship fight to retain the UFC Bantamweight title. We believe this is the first time that a track has sponsored a UFC fighter and the fact that Dominick is both an Arizonan and a NASCAR fan made this a great opportunity for us to support him in regaining his belt."

Cruz served as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the AdvoCare 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last weekend and will resume that role at PIR for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 on March 3, 2013.

From "The Dominator:"

"I’m excited to have a legendary venue like Phoenix International Raceway in my corner as I prepare for my next fight. Being from Arizona and being a NASCAR fan, it’s going to be an honor to wear the PIR logo on my trunks when I step into the Octagon."

Stay tuned for more on his upcoming title fight in the coming weeks.