Renan Barao: Who Can Challenge Him?

As the legendary English rock group Queen would say, another one bites the dust. Renan Barao (30-1-0) once again proved his current 30-fight win streak is no fluke. After dishing out the most impressive beatdown of his career and defeating Michael McDonald by arm-triangle choke, MMA fans are beginning to wonder who can beat Barao. The UFC bantamweight division now holds one bout that everyone wants to see, and that’s champ Dominick Cruz versus the interim champ.  Unfortunately, Cruz is still out of action due to injury, so who else is there to challenge the dominant Brazilian?

Could the answer lie in the featherweight division? I’m referring to none other than Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. By no means do I assume the UFC will give Edgar a second undeserved title shot, but hey, if Anthony Pettis can text Dana White and get one, it’s worth a try, right? Edgar has said several times before that he can make 135 pounds, so why not try? Realistically, who in their right mind wouldn’t mind seeing that bout?

Barao has defeated the stiffest opponents the division has to offer, from Brad Pickett to Scott Jorgenson. Barao has proven he can get passed them all.

If we look at the bantamweight division as a whole, I can only think of two other fighters who can challenge and maybe defeat Barao. Neither, however, is on the UFC roster. I speak of Eduardo Dantas and Bibiano Fernandes. Obviously, those fighters aren’t really options at the moment. Which means the UFC is once again in a pickle, with an interim champion whose skills are head and shoulders above the next potential challenger.