Renan Barao: Not a Household Name, YET!
Renan Barao (27-1; 1 NC) may not be a name you are used to saying or hearing discussed among casual UFC fans but to the true MMA fan, Saturday night’s performance (also Fight of the Night) at UFC 138 was nothing by mistake. Since turning professional in 2005, the only defeat he has suffered was his debut which ended in a split decision loss.
Riding the best win streak currently in the game today, the bantamweight is rising to become a threat for the division and ultimately Dominick Cruz. In his twenty-seven bouts, almost half have ended in the first round by either submission or KO/TKO; the remaining bouts have eight ending in decision and the others being finished as well. Possessing a black belt in BJJ, thirteen of his wins have had opponents tapping out and he can stand with the rest of the group where his Muay Thai can be put on display.
Finishing another calendar year with an unstarched streak, 2012 could be his catapult for fame and possible UFC gold to adorn his waist. Running through virtually everyone put in his path, the bantamweight division still holds tests for Barao and many names would be exciting as a matchup.
Miguel Torres is a fight that needs to happen for both of these men. At one time, a terrifying adversity for anyone inside the cage with him, Torres has adopted a technical style that makes for lackluster bouts or losses on his end, where Barao is determined to keep his losses at “one” he will bring the fight center cage and ensure another victory for him on fight night.
Getting past the former WEC champion would be a stepping stone for Brian Bowles or Urijah Faber, both of these former champions are meeting later this month at UFC 139 and the loser in the bout would be tough competition for the Brazilian fighter. They each have hands, wrestling and jiu jitsu that are top-tier before the division champion.
As far off the radar as Dominick Cruz may be at the moment for the Natal native, it is not out of question to think he would pose a problem to “The Dominator” who himself has only one professional loss. The pace, ability and overall talent of Cruz have given all his opponents trouble since his loss trouble and left them in questions while he has enjoyed victory and championships.
As time and opponents continue to be stacked up for Renan, we will have to watch his destiny play out in the cage. If the current time is any indicator however, next year at this time, we may be writing about who will be the next to take away the UFC Bantamweight title from him.
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