Bantamweight

Renan Barao

UFC 2011–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 89.0

Scouting report

A 32-fight unbeaten streak (31 wins, 1 no-contest) spanning nearly a decade, from April 2005 until a fifth-round TKO loss to TJ Dillashaw at UFC 173 in 2014, established Renan "The Baron" Barao's run at bantamweight. Hailing from Natal, Brazil, and representing Nova Uniao, Barao captured and defended the Undisputed UFC Bantamweight Championship with finishes of Urijah Faber, Michael McDonald, and Eddie Wineland. His striking and submission game are highlighted by a 90 Kickboxing and 90 BJJ.

Peak ratings

Boxing86
Kickboxing90
Wrestling86
BJJ90
Strength76
Durability88
Cardio90
Fight IQ88

By edition

2010–2013Overall 89
Boxing86
Kickboxing90
Wrestling86
BJJ90
Strength76
Durability88
Cardio90
Fight IQ88

Barao dominated the bantamweight ranks, capturing the interim championship by outpointing Urijah Faber at UFC 149 in Calgary before defending against Michael McDonald via arm-triangle and stopping Eddie Wineland with a spinning back kick at UFC 165 in Toronto. His leg kicks, submission transitions, and endurance are reflected in an 90 Kickboxing and 90 Cardio score across this reign.

2014–2015Overall 87
Boxing85
Kickboxing89
Wrestling85
BJJ89
Strength76
Durability86
Cardio88
Fight IQ86

In February 2014 at UFC 169, Barao finished Urijah Faber by first-round TKO in Newark before suffering a title loss and rematch defeat to TJ Dillashaw at UFC 173 and UFC on Fox 16, separated by an arm-triangle submission win over Mitch Gagnon. His muay thai strikes and mat grappling are captured in his 89 Kickboxing and 89 BJJ.

2016–2017Overall 84
Boxing82
Kickboxing85
Wrestling82
BJJ87
Strength75
Durability82
Cardio84
Fight IQ84

Barao moved up to featherweight in 2016, losing a decision to Jeremy Stephens in Las Vegas before defeating Phillipe Nover in Brasilia. Returning to bantamweight in 2017, he lost a catchweight decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 214 in Anaheim. His submission pedigree, wrestling transitions, and kicking game support his 87 BJJ and 85 Kickboxing ratings during this transitional phase.

Draft Renan Barao into your build

Renan Barao enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2010 and 2017. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.

Ratings shown are our own, built from independent research and from how Renan Barao is regarded by the MMA community, with the EA Sports UFC games used only as a starting baseline for the scale. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Renan Barao's real-world abilities. See the disclaimer below.