Tag: Renan Barao

Four Reasons to Be Completely Psyched About UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald


(Fan-made poster via NixsonMmaPosters. Let’s just pretend that Siver isn’t there.)

We wouldn’t expect a FUEL card in London to be “stacked” in the traditional sense. But although this coming Saturday’s UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald event is low on star-power, it’s actually loaded with great matchups. Here’s why these fights are worth paying attention to…

1. The main card is a hot mess of blue-chip prospects.
Even more so than UFC on FUEL 7’s headliners, I’m excited to see the return of three guys who looked like juggernauts in their UFC debuts. First, we’ve got our old pal Ryan Jimmo, who entered the Octagon on a 16-fight win streak at UFC 149 and proceeded to sleep Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds, then gave fans their money’s worth by busting out a celebratory robot. Can he possibly repeat that performance this weekend against James Te-Huna?

Also in the light-heavyweight division, 12-0 Nigerian-English mauler Jimi Manuwa — who has never been to the third round in his entire career, by the way — will face Cyrille Diabaté, five months after Manuwa whipped Kyle Kingsbury to a doctor’s stoppage TKO after ten minutes of action. And finally, Icelandic grappling master Gunnar Nelson will follow up his swift choke-out of Damarques Johnson with a fight against Jorge Santiago, in a welterweight bout that will probably go very badly for Santiago.

The prelims also feature a few more guys who almost fit in the same “hot-prospect” category, including Stanislav Nedkov — who’s still technically undefeated after his loss to Thiago Silva was overturned in November — and Paul Sass, the submission wiz who took the first loss of his career against Matt Wiman in September.

2. Michael McDonald could become the youngest UFC champion ever* — and by a fairly wide margin.


(Fan-made poster via NixsonMmaPosters. Let’s just pretend that Siver isn’t there.)

We wouldn’t expect a FUEL card in London to be “stacked” in the traditional sense. But although this coming Saturday’s UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald event is low on star-power, it’s actually loaded with great matchups. Here’s why these fights are worth paying attention to…

1. The main card is a hot mess of blue-chip prospects.
Even more so than UFC on FUEL 7′s headliners, I’m excited to see the return of three guys who looked like juggernauts in their UFC debuts. First, we’ve got our old pal Ryan Jimmo, who entered the Octagon on a 16-fight win streak at UFC 149 and proceeded to sleep Anthony Perosh in just seven seconds, then gave fans their money’s worth by busting out a celebratory robot. Can he possibly repeat that performance this weekend against James Te-Huna?

Also in the light-heavyweight division, 12-0 Nigerian-English mauler Jimi Manuwa — who has never been to the third round in his entire career, by the way — will face Cyrille Diabaté, five months after Manuwa whipped Kyle Kingsbury to a doctor’s stoppage TKO after ten minutes of action. And finally, Icelandic grappling master Gunnar Nelson will follow up his swift choke-out of Damarques Johnson with a fight against Jorge Santiago, in a welterweight bout that will probably go very badly for Santiago.

The prelims also feature a few more guys who almost fit in the same “hot-prospect” category, including Stanislav Nedkov — who’s still technically undefeated after his loss to Thiago Silva was overturned in November — and Paul Sass, the submission wiz who took the first loss of his career against Matt Wiman in September.

2. Michael McDonald could become the youngest UFC champion ever* — and by a fairly wide margin.
When Jon Jones TKO’d Mauricio Rua to win the UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 128, he was 23 years and nine months old. If Michael McDonald defeats Renan Barao for the interim bantamweight title in the UFC on FUEL 7 headliner, he’ll become a UFC champion at just 22 years and one month old. And make no mistake — “Mayday” McDonald has legitimately paid his dues for the opportunity. McDonald began competing professionally at the age of 16, and his current eight-fight win streak dates back to October 2009, when he was smashing everyone in his path as an 18-year-old in Tachi Palace Fights. Now 4-0 in the UFC and coming off first-round knockouts of Alex Soto and Miguel Torres, McDonald is a truly prodigious talent, and could give Barao the toughest test of his own phenomenal career.

3. Will Josh Grispi suffer the most dramatic career-implosion in UFC history?
Okay, this is more of a “reason to be morbidly curious” than a “reason to be completely psyched,” but it’s still worth mentioning. In 2010, Josh Grispi was one of the hottest featherweights on Earth, following an explosive 4-0 run in the WEC where he scored first-round stoppages of Mark Hominick, Micah Miller, Jens Pulver, and LC Davis. Grispi was booked to face Jose Aldo in the UFC’s first-ever featherweight title fight at UFC 125, but Aldo was forced to withdraw due to injury. Instead, Grispi faced newcomer Dustin Poirier in a non-title bout on the card, losing a unanimous decision and his title shot.

Later that year, Grispi took a rebound fight against George Roop, and wound up getting TKO’d in the third round. Finally, a bout against Brazilian journeyman Rani Yahya ended in another loss last August, this time by first-round submission. Now, “The Fluke” is facing TUF Live castmember Andy Ogle, who is officially 0-1 in the UFC. If Grispi manages to lose this one, he’ll almost certainly find himself released from the organization — the final chapter in a stunning reversal-of-fortune for his fight career.

4. Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier is a great f*cking fight.
Like Cowboy vs. Pettis at UFC on FOX 6, this is the one matchup on the card that is virtually guaranteed to produce something spectacular. Swanson is on the hottest run of his career with consecutive knockouts of George Roop, Ross Pearson, and Charles Oliveira — and is usually the first guy that Greg Jackson-defenders point to as evidence that Yoda is not ruining the sport. Meanwhile, Poirier’s last four fights ended in three submission victories and an incredible Fight of Night performance against Chan Sung Jung. Swanson vs. Poirier could end in a swift and savage knockout, or it could turn out to be an unforgettable three-round war, but there’s no way it’ll be boring.

* Yes, I know Vitor Belfort was 19 years old when he won the UFC 12 tournament, so you don’t have to mention it in the comments section.

(BG)

Barao vs. McDonald: Little to Gain, Everything to Lose for Barao

Interim bantamweight champion Renan “Barao” Pegado will meet Michael McDonald in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 7. Barao’s title will be on the line as he tangles with the brightest prospect competing at 135 pounds.
From a fan&rsqu…

Interim bantamweight champion Renan “Barao” Pegado will meet Michael McDonald in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 7. Barao’s title will be on the line as he tangles with the brightest prospect competing at 135 pounds.

From a fan’s standpoint, this is a magnetic battle that will more than likely produce brutal flurries and high-octane aggression.

Both of these men show up to win, and they aim to win in extremely impressive fashion. The idea of fighting not to lose is a completely foreign concept for these two, and that, coupled with their technical skills, will lead to a certified barn burner. In fact, this could be the best Bantamweight bout we’ve seen in years.

But there are some thought-provoking points to this affair that need be examined, meticulously.

See, Barao will enter this bout with very little to gain as a professional fighter.

The Brazilian is enjoying one of the most impressive win streaks in MMA history. The man’s gone unbeaten in his last 30 fights, with his lone blemish being a unanimous decision loss to Joao Paulo Rodrigues de Souza, which Barao suffered in his first professional fight.

He entered the UFC ranks and rattled off four consecutive victories, including impressive wins over Urijah Faber, Scott Jorgensen and Brad Pickett.

He earned his interim belt by besting Faber at UFC 149, and at this point, appears the clear-cut stud of the division (until Dominick Cruz makes his long-awaited return to action).

But Barao may run into a problem on February 16th.

Michael McDonald is the sleeper assassin of the division. Heavy hands, crisp combinations and an uncanny killer instinct make for a threat that few fighters possess. His willingness to take risks and his one-punch power makes for a difficult challenge to overcome.

However, McDonald has yet to reach the upper echelon of celebrity. He’s a recognizable young man, and most would label him a future superstar, but at this point in time, his stock isn’t exactly exploding through the roof, a hail of fragmented wood and split shingles spraying the sky in the wake of genuine stardom.

McDonald simply doesn’t carry that kind of weight in MMA at this point.

That fact alone makes this an incredibly dangerous bout for the interim champion.

If Barao puts McDonald away in impressive fashion, he’s managed to dispose of a relatively green opponent. In the eyes of pundits, the experience disparity will warrant reason to attempt to discredit Barao, reaching for strings, declaring he’s done little other than beating a “good but ill prepared” foe.

Flip the coin and Barao faces similar scrutinization. If McDonald batters the interim champ, the Brazilian’s legitimacy will immediately be called into question. His accomplishments thus far will likely see belittling, with critics attempting to discredit the man’s previous victories.

I can hear it now…Faber was over the hill! The Pickett fight was luck! Jorgenson is nothing more than a fading fighter…a shell of his former self! 

This bout, in all actuality, is an amazing clash of styles between two superb combatants. Barao is every bit as dangerous as he’s been billed, and McDonald, a man with bricks for fists, may truly be the future of the division. However, it’s the kind of match-making that leaves (unwarranted) room for berating.

I anticipate a fantastic battle next weekend. And while Renan Barao stands to gain little from this fight in the eyes of many, the truth is this: If the Brazilian trounces McDonald, he’ll have eliminated four hazardous foes in succession, all of which are world ranked.

Should the interim champ come up short against McDonald, he loses virtually everything: his belt, his momentum, his unbeatable aura and sadly, the mystique he’s worked so hard to establish throughout his career.

While it shouldn’t be, this is a lose-lose battle for Barao, regardless of outcome. There’s virtually nothing to gain by this match. A win for Barao does little, a loss send him spiraling in the ranks and may very well trigger a barrage of insults from keyboard warriors…He was never that good to begin with!

It’s tough to be an elite champion in a relatively thin division, and this is the kind of fight that echoes that sentiment.

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Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Why MMA Fans Need to Embrace Lighter-Weight Fights

Love them or hate them, you can’t deny the quality of the action provided by the fights in the lighter weight classes. A look at MMA’s archives will show a number of fights in the featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight divisions that all did their p…

Love them or hate them, you can’t deny the quality of the action provided by the fights in the lighter weight classes. A look at MMA‘s archives will show a number of fights in the featherweight, bantamweight and flyweight divisions that all did their part in highlighting exactly how they hold their own with those of the more established divisions.

Remember how long it took before fans accepted the lightweight division? And remember that they faced similar questions to those encountered by the lighter weight classes? Now, lightweight stands as one of the most talent-rich divisions in the sport, let alone the UFC, and the talent in that one division always produces a number of fights that stand on paper as Fight of the Night candidates for almost every fight card that occurs.

Featherweights, bantamweights and flyweights can produce thrillers of the same cloth, and with time, flyweights for sure will get the recognition that they deserve. However, despite the lack of depth in the division in all three divisions, fans of the sport will do themselves a great justice by embracing these lighter weight classes for more than just the “remember when lightweights first got on?” argument.

Let the reality sink in about these three divisions if any doubt still exists, especially since many will eventually come to about this matter. Despite the fluctuation of poundage that separates the divisions from each other, the action quality holds the same high level at heavyweight as it holds in the other divisions.

The primary five divisions all needed to establish longevity before fans caught on to what most fight fans already knew, which is that great fights always happen regardless of the weight. Fans catch on to this after witnessing a fight or two in a division, thus causing them to pay attention to the divisions more prominently than they may have done in a previous point in time.

Obviously, it may not help fans to get behind the division if the fights consistently get booked on Fuel TV, FX or okay pay-per-view cards, but considering that a number of cable subscribers enjoy FX on a daily basis, one can make the statement that those subscribers definitely have the necessary means to get themselves interested.

Also, the UFC will aim to garner further interest in their lightest division when flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson makes the first defense of his title against John Dodson at UFC on Fox 6 in Chicago, while Jose Aldo looks to keep a grip on his featherweight title at UFC 156 against Frankie Edgar. The quality of both fights promise exciting firefights and memorable finishes, but will fans embrace these fights before or after they transpire?

They absolutely know how to draw in the casual viewer while changing the mind of the skeptical hardcore fan, so few will find a reason to believe that they cannot embrace these fights.

However, until fans begin to recognize the reasons for why they should embrace these fights, the divisions will take longer to earn their long-overdue respect than they did to make it into the sport’s premier league.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

No Longer Waiting, Renan Barao Looking Forward to Battle with McDonald

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would b…

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.

The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would be prolonged due to complication’s with the repaired ligaments in his knee resulting in a second ACL tear, Barao immediately decided to move forward.

The rising Brazilian star will put his title on the line against surging prospect turned contender Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, England. Both fighters have played a huge part in the shaping of the weight class in Cruz’s absence, and while the unification bout is the fight Barao wanted, the 25-year-old is at ease with the situation.

“I am peaceful,” Barao told Bleacher Report through translator Francisco Sigiliano. “The goal is Cruz, but something unforeseen can happen and change the opponent. What matters most is the fight. I really wanted to fight as soon as possible. I’m exited to not have to wait that long.”

The buzz surrounding Barao has been building for years and for good reason. After losing his first professional effort in 2005, Barao has not tasted defeat since the Nova Uniao product has collected 29 consecutive victories in versatile fashion. He has proven to be dangerous wherever the fight takes place, scoring a mixture of knockouts and submission finishes over the course of his impressive run.

When he finally made his North American debut at WEC 49 in 2010, Barao made the most of the opportunity, submitting Anthony Leone with an armbar in the third round. Once the WEC merged into the UFC, Barao put his foot on the gas and did not look back as he steamrolled his way through upper-tier caliber competition the likes of Brad Pickett, Scott Jorgensen and former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

The victory over the “California Kid” earned Barao his first UFC title and his journey to the top has garnered acclaim across the MMA landscape. The young Brazilian is nominated for “Breakthrough Fighter  of the Year” at the 2012 World MMA Awards, and is a big reason his coach Andre Pederneiras, and gym Nova Uniao, are up for awards as well.

Barao‘s time in the spotlight is only just beginning, and long hours spent in the gym working to become UFC champion are starting to pay dividends.

“It is a dream that we’ve been working towards for many years,” Barao said. “It is the result of the hard work we have labored for many years with various positive results. I am very happy.”

While the original plan was a showdown with Cruz, the path has altered courses, and the current road leads to McDonald in England.

Neither man has been defeated under the Zuffa banner. While Barao‘s win streak has been a hot topic of conversation, “Mayday” has put together an impressive run in his own right. The 21-year old has earned eight consecutive victories with his most recent win coming in highlight reel fashion as he knocked out former champion Miguel Torres in the first round of their bout at UFC 145 in April.

Both Barao and McDonald have the capability to end a fight wherever the action takes place. Their main event bout in London will be a show case of the division’s future as both fighters bring a well rounded skill set into the Octagon. There is no doubt Barao has become one of the weight class’s most feared strikers, but he is not looking past McDonald in any form or fashion.

“We will assemble the best possible strategy,” Barao said. “I do not know if striking will be an advantage for me. I try to train in all areas and that keeps me comfortable standing and on the ground. I am happy to show my work in the best way possible. I’m going to battle forward. I’ll give my best and try to come out with the win at all costs.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dominick Cruz’s Injury Layoff: Bantamweights Who Can Take Advantage

Earlier this month UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz reinjured his surgically repaired knee and will now collect dust on the shelf until late 2013. By that time, he will have been out of action for more than two years.As everyone including C…

Earlier this month UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz reinjured his surgically repaired knee and will now collect dust on the shelf until late 2013. By that time, he will have been out of action for more than two years.

As everyone including Cruz knows, life must go on. The sun, it needs to rise. Fights need to be made, interim titles defended and challenged.

Here are five bantamweights who stand to reap benefits from the broken logjam at the head of the 135-pound division.

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Barao vs. McDonald to Headline UFC’s Return to London on Feb. 16; Five More Fights Added to Card


(Barao puts one upside Faber’s head at UFC 149. Photo via Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and challenger Michael McDonald will go down at UFC on FUEL 7, February 16th at London’s Wembley Arena. UFC UK confirmed the news earlier today, and revealed a crop of supporting fights. They are…

– Paul Sass vs. Danny Castillo (LW): The British two-trick pony took his first career loss against Matt Wiman in September, while Team Alpha Male member Castillo had a three-fight win streak snapped in October when he was KO’d by Michael Johnson.

– Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte (LW): Inactive since becoming a permanent part of Edson Barboza’s highlight reel in January, Etim returns from injuries to face TUF Brazil castmember Renee Forte, who just suffered his first official UFC loss when he was submitted by Sergio Moraes at UFC 153.

– Andy Ogle vs. Josh Grispi (FW): Grispi is on a three-fight losing streak, while TUF: Live castmember Ogle lost his official UFC debut in a decision against Akira Corassani in September. Oh, you bet your ass it’s “win or go home” time.


(Barao puts one upside Faber’s head at UFC 149. Photo via Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and challenger Michael McDonald will go down at UFC on FUEL 7, February 16th at London’s Wembley Arena. UFC UK confirmed the news earlier today, and revealed a crop of supporting fights. They are…

– Paul Sass vs. Danny Castillo (LW): The British two-trick pony took his first career loss against Matt Wiman in September, while Team Alpha Male member Castillo had a three-fight win streak snapped in October when he was KO’d by Michael Johnson.

– Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte (LW): Inactive since becoming a permanent part of Edson Barboza’s highlight reel in January, Etim returns from injuries to face TUF Brazil castmember Renee Forte, who just suffered his first official UFC loss when he was submitted by Sergio Moraes at UFC 153.

– Andy Ogle vs. Josh Grispi (FW): Grispi is on a three-fight losing streak, while TUF: Live castmember Ogle lost his official UFC debut in a decision against Akira Corassani in September. Oh, you bet your ass it’s “win or go home” time.

– Vaughan Lee vs. Motonobu Tezuka (BW): British bantamweight Vaughan Lee is 1-2 in the Octagon, most recently eating a submission loss against TJ Dillashaw in July. Tezuka is a Pancrase vet who lost his UFC debut at UFC Macao in a split-decision against Alex Caceres.

– Phil Harris vs. Ulysses Gomez (FlyW): The first UFC flyweight match to be held in Europe (true story!), British vet Phil Harris was submitted by Darren Uyenoyama during his UFC debut in October, while former Tachi Palace Fights flyweight champ Ulysses Gomez was knocked out by John Moraga during his own debut in August.

As previously reported, welterweights Matt Riddle and Che Mills will also be squaring off on the card, which marks the UFC’s first London trip since “Bisping vs. Akiyama” in October 2010. But if you were paying attention, you’d notice that all ten fighters in the newly-announced fights listed above are coming off losses. And although the main event will feature a pair of amazing fighters in a competitive matchup, it’s not exactly a blockbuster fight in terms of star power. (At this point, I’d call Renan Barao the fourth-most famous bantamweight on the UFC’s roster, after Ronda Rousey, Urijah Faber, and champion Dominick Cruz, in that order.) So…condolences, London.

Will you care enough to watch this card, or are we giving UFC on FUEL 7 early “garbage ass” status?