Interim Bantamweight Champ Renan Barao Impresses Again At UFC 165
By Rick LaFitte
@RickLaFitte
Tom Szczerbowski USA TODAY Sports
Renan Barao is clearly one of the more under-appreciated great fighters in the UFC. The interim bantamweight champion continued his quest for a unification fight against Dominick Cruz with a terrific second-round stoppage of tough challenger Eddie Wineland at UFC 165. It was appropriately recognized as the Knockout of the Night.
There wasn’t a whole lot to choose from between the two fighters in the opening round as Wineland showcased his boxing skills while Barao seemed to be a little more diversified. However, it all changed suddenly in the second stanza as the talented Brazilian ran his undefeated streak to 32 fights thanks to a remarkable spinning back kick to the face and a series of subsequent strikes that finished his dazed opponent.
Finishing a true tough guy in Wineland is certainly a huge accomplishment for Barao, and he once again showed he will be a threat to Cruz if they are finally able to square off in early 2014 as planned.
Barao has now made successful defenses of his interim belt against Wineland and Michael McDonald after first winning the title at UFC 149 against Urijah Faber. For Wineland, the rugged veteran may have come up empty in a final opportunity to win gold. Barao is a tremendously skilled all-around fighter with impressive techniques and devastating leg kicks. He’s a submission ace as well, and it promises to be an outstanding matchup against Cruz if he’s able to make his targeted return.
Cruz is a fighter who relies heavily on speed and footwork, and it will be a massive challenge for him to return after such a lengthy absence against a fighter of Barao’s high quality. The UFC has made it clear that a unification fight is the preferred option, but if there’s another delay in Cruz’s return, Barao will go from interim champ to full-time belt holder.
As he has shown in winning six straight fights during his UFC career, he’s more than up to the task, however it plays out.
Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports
