Fighter Futures: Renan Barao

It remains to be seen if Renan Barao will defend the Interim Championship while he waits for a returning Dominick Cruz. He could defend it, sure, but the only fight that really makes sense would be a rematch with Faber and no one is clamoring for that fight right now. What this fight proved for Renan is what we already knew: that he is an elite level bantamweight, only now he has a recognizable and impressive name on his resume. The creation of a Flyweight Division (in my opinion) has stripped the Bantamweight’s talent pool leaving Barao, Faber, and Cruz miles ahead of the competition. While I would like to see an Interim Champ who remains active, I doubt Renan will, purely due to lack of a true challenger.  

Barao Won't Defend Belt; Will Wait for Cruz

It gets really hard writing about dudes in peak physical condition every day, while I sit at my dining room table surrounded by BBQ potato chips, vanilla cookies, and empty cans of generic root beer. I had a banana a little bit ago which I’m sure cancels that burrito I had for breakfast. I’m disappointed with myself; I’m also disappointed in Renan Barao. Barao, who faces Urijah Faber for the Interim Bantamweight title this weekend, recently said he would not defend the belt if victorious, but instead would wait for Dominick Cruz to return. I don’t understand why Interim Champions are given this option, the Welterweights made it work (barely) with some interesting fights, but the Bantamweights, arguably the least popular division, can’t afford an Interim Champ who won’t fight while their division struggles to gain fan support. I dislike Urijah, but at least he said he’d defend the strap.