Renan Barao
Active 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
By edition
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 a 90 Kickboxing and 90 Cardio score across this reign.
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.
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.
Renan Barao and the streak that ran past thirty fights
Renan Barao came out of Nova Uniao riding a long unbeaten run and beat Urijah Faber to win the interim bantamweight title. He later held the full belt until T.J. Dillashaw stopped him in the fifth round of their first fight, and Dillashaw stopped him again in the rematch. At his best he was a complete fighter with heavy kicks and a dangerous ground game.
Barao attribute by attribute
Boxing. Fluent and accurate. He mixed his hands with kicks in one flowing attack.
Kickboxing. His best strike. Crisp low and body kicks with a sharp lead leg.
Wrestling. Solid. He defended takedowns and mixed in his own.
BJJ. A big asset. Brazilian jiu-jitsu skill and comfort on the ground.
Strength. Adequate for the class, and he leaned on technique.
Durability. Tough through a long run, though heavy damage caught up with him in the Dillashaw fights.
Cardio. Held a strong pace through five rounds during his best stretch.
Fight IQ. Composed. He carried out his gameplan until Dillashaw showed him something new.
The tool to lean on: Kickboxing
Kickboxing is Barao's best skill. He punishes legs and bodies from a distance, and his defence allows him to reset. Take him when you want a striker who wins at range.
The relative weakness: Strength
Strength is his lowest attribute. A physical wrestler who gets on top of him can wear him down. Balance him with someone who can handle a grind.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Renan Barao, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Cory Sandhagenbest kickboxing 92 · weakest strength 74
- Kyler Phillipsbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 74
- Umar Nurmagomedovbest wrestling 95 · weakest strength 76
- TJ Dillashawbest cardio 94 · weakest strength 76
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Renan Barao's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
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 my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Renan Barao is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Renan Barao's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.