The Brazilian Renan Barao is today one of the smallest and greatest MMA fighters in the world. The bantamweight fighter from Nova Uniao and Kimura Jiu-Jitsu Academy has been undefeated since 2005. He has fought 30 MMA fights, and has beaten some of the most prestigious fighters in the UFC on his weight class.
All of that, however, must now be set aside. According to Renan’s Team, it’s not the time to be impressed with his latest wins. Barao should maintain focus, since the danger coming this Saturday at UFC 169, answers to the name of Urijah Faber.
Despite the dangers of the frenetic Californian Kid’s game, the risk increases by the fact that Faber has been chosen as Renan’s challenger at the last minute, instead of once again injured Dominick Cruz. Former bantamweight champion reigned since 2010, but after a rapid sequence of fighting, had not set foot in the Octagon since 2011.
Neither the fact that Cruz has already beaten Faber, or even Barao’s positive record against the Californian star counts at the moment. The team led by André Pederneira prefers to see Cruz on the other side of the corner, as confessed to us by the black belt Leonardo Santos, UFC fighter and Andre’s righ-hand man.
“Nobody here at Nova Uniao wanted Faber now. Dominick is also a great fighter, but taking the fact that he’s been a long time without a fight and because he doesn’t have much ‘ punch ‘, he would be a better opponent to Barao”, explains Leo Santos.
” Faber is verging on the top for a long time, never goes out of rhythm and he’s eager for the belt. And the UFC would love to have him as champion, right? Among the strongest aspects of his game, is that heavy hand that comes from the top and his guillotines. Since their first fight for the internal belt in 2012, Barao is alert about Faber’s smart and strong little arms. The most important now is working on the psychological aspect of the fight, on the danger Faber always represents. It is not because Barao has won well before against Faber that he does not need to be careful. What we ask of him is attention because he is already well trained”, said the coach.
Review Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber 1st match and discuss: How the next battle between Renan Barao and Urijah Faber at UFC 169 will end?
The post UFC 169: Barao’s team prefers Cruz over Urijah Faber first appeared on Graciemag.