UFC 149 – Renan Barao becomes the interim bantamweight champion, cruises to a unanimous decision win over Urijah Faber
Brazilian wizz-kid, Renan Barao tonight picked up the UFC interim bantamweight title at UFC 149 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, easily defeating former world champion, Urijah Faber via unanimous decision after picking “The California Kid” apart on the feet.
Faber flurries forward but gets caught. Barao is clearly targeting the legs early, something that is supported by his managers pre-fight remarks. Faber is struggling to get near the Brazilian at this point. Spinning back kick from Barao almost lands. Nice knee to the body by Barao as he starts to get loose. Tough round to call as neither man have really got their game going. Barao backs out of danger to end the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Barao.
Barao is pushing forward in the second round, looking much more aggressive. Barao gets poked in the eye. The action resumes and Barao turns it up, leaping in with a knee and a wild combination. Nice right hand from Faber. Hard leg kick from Barao. Barao is going to work with his kicks and misses with one to the head by a whisker. Big leg kick from Barao again lands and Faber has started to limp. Another big leg kick from Barao. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Barao.
Big combination by Barao as he goes to the legs and then boxes to the head. Faber shoots in but it’s stuffed. Front kick from Faber dumps Barao to his back. Faber lands with a right hand as he starts to have a little success. Barao goes back to the legs. Faber shoots in but he’s not close to completing it. Nice uppercut from Faber but Barao answers. Hard leg kick from Barao hurts Faber clearly. Barao is picking Faber apart from distance. Faber just doesn’t seem to be able to get near Barao and certainly isn’t extending his punches. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Barao.
Barao continues to pick Faber apart from distance. Could we be seeing a changing of the guard at the top of the 135 pound tree? This could be Faber’s last title shot based on this performance. Faber steps in and lands a right hand but is poked in the eye. The action resumes. The two men exchange and Faber lands a right hand. Barao continues to march forward, landing nice combinations followed by a head kick. Barao goes back to the legs. Barao goes to the body and to the head with left hooks. Faber looks for a takedown but it’s blocked and Barao lands a knee. Nice left hand from Faber connects. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Barao.
Faber comes out looking intense but Barao meets him with an equal level. Nice counter left from Barao followed by a leg kick. Faber catches the kick but he can’t take the Brazilian to the ground. Faber jabs nicely. Big kick from Barao before flurrying in. Vicious left hook from Barao lands. Superman punch from Faber lands over the top. Big chopping leg kick from Barao. Nice left hook from Barao as he turns it up. Big left hand from Barao. Spining kick misses from Barao. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Barao.
The judges scored the bout 49-46, 50-45, 49-46 in favour of Barao.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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