Video Highlights Of Jeremy Stephens Vs. Renan Barao

Jeremy Stephens did not welcome Renan Barao to the featherweight division with anything but fists and kicks Sunday night at UFC Fight Night 88.

In the end, Stephens earned a decision over the former UFC champion, and you can see highlights of the co…

jeremy-stephens

Jeremy Stephens did not welcome Renan Barao to the featherweight division with anything but fists and kicks Sunday night at UFC Fight Night 88.

In the end, Stephens earned a decision over the former UFC champion, and you can see highlights of the co-main event in the video below:

Jeremy Stephens vs. Renan Barao Full Fight Video Highlights

Renan Barao was looking to make a successful debut at 145 pounds when he met veteran Jeremy Stephens in the co-main vent of last night’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, but “Lil’ Heathen” obviously had different plans in mind. Stephens spoiled “The Baron’s”

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Renan Barao was looking to make a successful debut at 145 pounds when he met veteran Jeremy Stephens in the co-main vent of last night’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, but “Lil’ Heathen” obviously had different plans in mind.

Stephens spoiled “The Baron’s” attempt to reinvent his career at featherweight (at least for the time being) by taking home a close unanimous decision win. In a back-and-forth affair, Stephens absorbed a ton of punishment to dish out even more on Barao, badly rocking the former bantamweight champ with a jaw-dropping barrage of right uppercuts in the second round.

Watch the full fight video highlights of his big win over Barao right here:

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UFC Fight Night 88 Bonuses: Cody Garbrandt Leads List Of $50,000 Winners

There was a well-rounded mix of performances at tonight’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, but none rang as true as surging bantamweight contender Cody Garbrandt’s first-round knockout of Thomas Almeida in the main event. For the win, Garbrandt earned the first “Performance of

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There was a well-rounded mix of performances at tonight’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, but none rang as true as surging bantamweight contender Cody Garbrandt’s first-round knockout of Thomas Almeida in the main event.

For the win, Garbrandt earned the first “Performance of the Night” bonus on the card, taking home $50,000 for his finest effort.

The second “Performance of the Night” went to middleweight Jake Collier, who rallied back from having his nose broken by debuting Alberto Pereira Uda in the first round with a vicious onslaught of spinning back kicks to the body in the second, scoring the comeback finish.

“Fight of the Night” expectedly went to the co-main event scrap between Jeremy Stephens and Renan Barao, who was making his featherweight debut after losing his bantamweight title. Both fighters landed a ton of shots and did a ton of damage, with Stephens absolutely battering Barao with a never-ending stream of uppercuts in the second frame. But Barao controlled the grappling, and also nailed Stephens with a ton of hard strikes in a back-and-forth affair that both men deserved to earn a bonus for.

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Video: UFC Fight Night 88 Post-Fight Press Conference

https://youtu.be/4RMXayp-xAk

After a successful UFC Fight Night 88 event in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night, May 29, 2016, UFC held the official post-fight press conference.

Embedded above is the complete UFC Fight Night 88 post-fight press con…

cody-garbrandt-presser

https://youtu.be/4RMXayp-xAk

After a successful UFC Fight Night 88 event in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night, May 29, 2016, UFC held the official post-fight press conference.

Embedded above is the complete UFC Fight Night 88 post-fight press conference, which features several of the fighters from Sunday night’s big event, which UFC President Dana White called the “sleeper card of the year.”

During Sunday’s event, Cody Garbrandt kept his undefeated record in tact by knocking out the previously undefeated number seven ranked Brazilian contender Thomas Almeida in the first round. In the co-main event, longtime UFC contender Jeremy Stephens beat former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao via unanimous decision in a three-round war.

For complete UFC Fight Night 88 results, click here.

UFC Fight Night 88: Jeremy Stephens Spoils Renan Barao’s Featherweight Debut

Jeremy Stephens (25-15) and Renan Barao (33-4, 1 NC) threw down at UFC Fight Night 88 on Sunday. “Wow” is the best word to describe that fight. That is what fisticuffs are all about.

The three rounds provided fans with quality action from both men, an…

Jeremy Stephens (25-15) and Renan Barao (33-4, 1 NC) threw down at UFC Fight Night 88 on Sunday. “Wow” is the best word to describe that fight. That is what fisticuffs are all about.

The three rounds provided fans with quality action from both men, and made the judges earn their money with a close fight. All three scored the bout 29-28 for Stephens.

The big question entering the co-main event was how the size difference would effect Barao. His frame looks like a bantamweight, and standing next to Stephens confirmed how much bigger the featherweights will be against the former champion.

The size didn’t pose too much of a problem in the first five minutes. In fact, it was Barao’s speed advantage that came into play. Barao moved effectively, touched up Stephens and showed both orthodox and southpaw attacks. Barao won the first round by being the quicker fighter.

The tone of the fight changed in the second as Stephens’ size and power came into play. He caught Barao with several huge punches that rocked the former bantamweight kingpin. Barao ate the shots, but certainly felt the effects. Stephens came from different angles with big power punches. Barao survived and ended the round by scoring a takedown.

In between the second and third rounds, Stephens’ corner told him to throw combinations. Barao seemed to regain his composure and went back to what worked in the first round. He avoided the big sweeping counters from Stephens, but was still getting hit from time to time.

They smiled at each other with 2:30 remaining in the final round. Shortly after, Barao changed levels on a takedown attempt, and put Stephens on his butt. To the delight of the fans, Stephens worked his way back up with 90 seconds remaining in the fight. The two talented fighters scrapped their way to the bell in a fun, close encounter.

Barao answered the question of whether he could hang with the bigger and stronger featherweights. He took some bombs from one of the hardest hitters in the division. But he is still undersized and failed to win. Does he cut back down to 135 pounds or stay at 145?

If he stays at featherweight, he needs a rebound fight against someone lower on the totem pole. Makwan Amirkhani fits the bill, and would be a good chance for Barao to showcase his complete skill set.

Stephens re-enters the fray of the upper echelon at featherweight. Should Ricardo Lamas upend Max Holloway at UFC 199, Stephens vs. Lamas is the fight to make. A rematch with Holloway isn’t appealing at this juncture. Should the Hawaiian win at UFC 199, other options will need to be evaluated.

Big featherweight tilts are on the horizon in the coming months, and following his UFC Fight Night 88 showing, Stephens will be a very interested onlooker for those coming events. “Lil’ Heathen” is back in the mix.

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Jeremy Stephens Spoils Renan Barao’s Featherweight Debut

Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao had no easy task when he moved up to featherweight to face Jeremy Stephens in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barao hadn’t fought since losing a failed bid for the title in

The post Jeremy Stephens Spoils Renan Barao’s Featherweight Debut appeared first on LowKick MMA.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao had no easy task when he moved up to featherweight to face Jeremy Stephens in the co-main event of tonight’s (Sun., May 29, 2016) UFC Fight Night 88 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Barao hadn’t fought since losing a failed bid for the title in his rematch with TJ Dillashaw at last July’s UFC on FOX 16. Stephens, meanwhile, dropped a decision to surging contender Max Holloway in his last contest at UFC 194 after emphatically finishing Dennis Bermudez in highlight reel fashion at UFC 189. Overall, “Lil’ Heathen” had his back against the wall with losses in three of his prior four bouts.

It was a statement fight for both, and it began with Barao landing an inside leg kick followed by a high kick. Stephens came back with some stinging low kicks in response. Barao snapped a strong two-punch combination, scoring with another after grabbing a Stephens kick. Stephens countered with a one-two combo, and Barao landed a huge right hand in a scramble. “The Baron” opened up with punches and kicks, causing Stephens to swing and miss widely.

Barao shot for a takedown that Stephens defended initially, and Barao clinched to land some knees to the legs. Stephens broke free and ate another shot, clinching on the fence. Both unleashed big shots in an exciting exchange, with Barao going for his spinning back kick to the body. Barao was deep on a takedown that didn’t materialize as the bell sounded on the first frame.

Barao came out with a low kick to start the second, and Stephens landed a solid right hand. Barao missed another takedown and Stpehens pooped a jab, but Barao landed a few solid shots. All of the sudden Stephens exploded with huge uppercuts, wobbling Barao again and again. Barao somehow landed a knee, but Stephens hit him with one more big shot. Stephens clinched on the cage but Barao broke to throw a spinning back kick that partially landed. A stiff right and a singing left came from Stephens, and Barao finally secured his first takedown. Stephens got back up to end the second frame.

The fight started slow in the third, with Stephens missing to leave an opening for some brief shots from Barao. Stephens landed a hard body shot and Barao a straight before clinching, but Stephens again stayed upright. A slugfest ensued with Barao landing some good shots. The fighters smiled at one another a they flung shots, and Barao was able to take Stephens to the mat.

He secured it to ground Stephens, looking to take his back. But “Lil’ Heathen” got out, and scored with another one of his vaunted uppercuts. Barao landed a combo, but Stephens responded with uppercuts and a big right hand. Barao scored a hard left hook and the fight was wild as the final bound sounded on a close and exciting affair.

Ultimately Stephens took home a unanimous decision with a 29-28 score on all three judges’ cards.

Final Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Renan Barao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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