Nine years ago, Renan Barao lost his professional debut at a local show in Natal, Brazil. Since then he has only compiled one of the most impressive standing streaks in modern mixed martial arts, rolling through 31 straight fights unbeaten. Saturday night was no exception.
Utilizing a rangy and explosive attack, Barao dismantled 22-year-old wunderkind Michael McDonald en route to a fourth-round submission victory at UFC on FUEL TV 7, adding an air of legitimacy to his UFC interim bantamweight strap and rocketing interest in his eventually clash with sidelined champion Dominick Cruz.
The volatile title tilt served as a fitting capper for an English crowd already buzzing after featherweight contenders Cub Swanson and Dustin Poirier set London’s Wembley Arena on fire with the pair’s thrilling co-main event. And as always, a flood of professional fighters were right there to commentate along with the action.
Congrats @renanbaraoufc nice dance!!
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) February 16, 2013
not expecting that record to stick around too long”@bigeperez: congratulations @jonnybones u r still the youngest champion in @ufc history.”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 16, 2013
I’m sure there’s some pretty sick young dudes out there waiting “@bombogkush_: @jonnybonesWhat makes you say that?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 16, 2013
I WANT TO FIGHT BARAO!!! Please?? =)
— Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) February 16, 2013
Congratulations to @renanbaraoufc , @dedepederneiras @jairlourenco and the whole team ! Great win @ufc !
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) February 16, 2013
Sick sub, better yet post fight celebration dance! #BaraoMcDonald #UFConFuel @ufc
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 16, 2013
Awesome fight with barao n McDonald… So explosive!
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) February 16, 2013
Michael McDonald is one rough dude #UFConFUEL
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 16, 2013
Wow great sub finish there from the Champ! #UFCLondon
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) February 16, 2013
Damn nice fight..Tough fight Mcdonald, keep ur head up!
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 16, 2013
SWANSON TOPS POIRIER
Good work Cubby!#KillerCub Proud of @cubswanson my #WEC brother
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) February 16, 2013
A few of Poirier’s kicks are going straight up, better watch nothit Swanson in the pills!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) February 16, 2013
Good win for Cub Swanson, he came out swinging and made a very exciting fight, fun to watch!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) February 16, 2013
That’s why those 2 are 2 of my 4 favorite featherweights. Thanks for the show brothers. @cubswanson @dustinpoirier (still wanted DP to win).
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) February 16, 2013
Hey @cubswanson how bout just knocking people out me and your brother were to nervous bud!!! Congrats homie
— isaac vallie-flagg (@ikevallieflagg) February 16, 2013
Congrats Killer Cub! @cubswanson new #1 contender!!!
— Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) February 16, 2013
@cubswanson @dustinpoirier look like brothers. Scrapping!
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) February 16, 2013
Congrats to my Boy @cubswanson sick fight …still on that roll! .. #Represent
— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) February 16, 2013
Damn this is fun already. #UFConFuel
— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) February 16, 2013
Great fight and some great ground control by Cub in that 3rd round! Iv got Cub winning that fight! #UFCLondon
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) February 16, 2013
Cub throwing big shots! A little easier to see coming, but they got bad intentions! #UFC
— Nik Lentz Ufc mma (@NikLentz) February 16, 2013
To everyone I let down …I’m sorry.I’m better than that performance. Congrats to Cub he fought a great fight
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 16, 2013
TE HUNA SURVIVES EARLY SCARE
Wow! Te Huna showed a lot of heart hanging on there, thought the ref was going to stop it but he kept moving!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) February 16, 2013
Very great comeback from Te Huna after that 1st round. Good fight!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) February 16, 2013
Draw.. In my opinion 10-8, 9-10, 9-10. #UFConFuel
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 16, 2013
fair enough… Jimmo could have made that 1st round a 10-8, but after the head kick, he lacked aggressiveness…
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 16, 2013
Te Huna is tough!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) February 16, 2013
I’m just going to say it, but from the sounds of these shots. I’m glad I’m not 50lbs bigger. #UFCLondon #JimmoTeHuna
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) February 16, 2013
i think jimmo has the biggest legs in the ufc! Hes also got the perfect look for an 80s action movie villian!
— John Hathaway (@ufcjohnhathaway) February 16, 2013
Jimmo . Smash. Smash..smmmmaaashhhh! @ufc
— Yaotzin Meza (@YaddiMMA) February 16, 2013
Congrats to my Aussie brother @jamestehuna great come back win @tamatehuna @lincoln_hudson @ufc_australia
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) February 16, 2013
Tough opponent tonight. Injured leg in the second made me useless. I’ll be back……….
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) February 16, 2013
2 wins in one night. Killed it with the entrance haHa!! Thanks to all the boys who were apart of the… instagr.am/p/VzoNIdMB_y/
— Jamie Te Huna (@JamesTeHuna) February 16, 2013