Renan Barao vs Eddie Wineland promises fireworks

With news of UFC bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz’s long awaited return to the octagon in 2014, the clash of Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland could lead to the first challenger for the title since Demetrious Johnson lost a unanimous decision in October 2011.

In Cruz’s absence, Barao has risen through the ranks of the division and now holds the interim title, accounting for Michael McDonald, Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen along the way.

Barao lost his first professional fight and has been on a 30 fight win streak ever since; a no contest due to an illegal soccer kick by Claudemir Souza, the only blemish. He is looking to secure his position as the number 1 challenger with victory at UFC 165.

A native of Houston, Texas, Eddie Wineland recovered from two losses in 2011 against Faber and Joseph Benavidez by posting a TKO victory over Jorgensen and a split decision against Brad Pickett.

Wineland, 20-8-1 as a professional, utilises a powerful straight right hand shot to stun his opponents before swarming over them with multiple right hooks. He often mixes it up with left leg kicks to the body but rarely shoots for the takedown despite having a wrestling background. 11 of his wins have come by KO.

Barao is a fierce competitor. He stalks his victims with lateral movement, throwing combinations from all angles. Everything from reverse heel kicks, flying knees to suplex takedowns, the Brazilian lets it all loose on fight night.

Both have traded blows with “The California Kid” Urijah Faber, arguably their most highly rated common foe. Faber outlanded Wineland in almost every category in each of 3 rounds whereas Barao dominated the statistics against Faber, except in the third of their 5 round bout.

If Wineland is to prevail, his best chance is to keep the fight on its feet, despite his inferior showing against Faber. Barao himself enjoys a good dust up and the exchanges should be memorable.

Should the fight go to the ground, expect Barao’s BJJ black belt to be a significant difference. It took him less than 45 seconds to get a submission off Pickett once his back was taken. 14 of his last 20 wins have been by submission.

Ultimately, I think Barao has his sights firmly set on a title shot and he will not let Wineland get in his way. Don’t expect the fight to go the distance either. Barao in 2 rounds!

By Simon Maguire