Every MMA fan knows how seriously Dana White takes the pound-for-pound debate.
The UFC boss threatened to replace its ranking panel several times in 2024 with AI.
Dana White was unhappy that Islam Makhachev was arranged for heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
'Bones' is the greatest of all time, but the UFC -CEO set another hunter for him in May 2014.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Renan Barao earned P4P tag from Dana White
Renan Barao was at the top of the world 11 years ago before his famous fight with TJ Dillashaw on UFC 173.
The Brazilian Ko artist had picked up 33 consecutive victories since he fell short in his MMA debut in 2005.
In Domnick Cruz's injury-induced absence, Barao won the Interim-Puc Bantamweight title and defended it twice before being elevated to the right champion of the division.
'The Baron' retained the belt with an epic KO victory in the first round in Urijah Faber on UFC 169 in February 2014.
That was enough to convince White that the new pound-for-pound number one was a 135 pound hunter.
“Look at the numbers and look at the fighting of Renan Barao, he is all there. He is the kind of man I like to look. He is a murderer, he comes in and he tries to finish you, “said the MMA Mogul for Barao's second title defense on UFC 173.
“Look at the efficiency of the child and how he was not beaten near all those years. This is a sport where there is always a man who might struggle better, stand out better or better have something better.
“I have debated whether he is not 1 pound-for-pound and he is for me.”
Only a few days later, Barao was battered five rounds when Dillashaw won a late TKO victory in Las Vegas.
Renan Barao never bounced back
Barao earned a second crack at Dillashaw with an entry victory over Mitch Gagnon in December 2014.
However, he never got somewhere close to the form that made him White's favorite hunter.
Dillashaw stopped him even faster when they were rematch for Bantamweight in July 2015.
A switch to featherweight failed when Barao was easily equipped by Jeremey Stephens. The 38-year-old Phillipe Nover has returned to the win-column in September 2016, but since then he has not included MMA victory.
Barao lost five consecutive periods before he was finally cut by the UFC at the end of 2019. In 2022 he choked Simão Peixoto in an exhibition fight. A year later, Barao again lost in the Pro -Rangen against Walter Zamora.
In general, he has had nine defeats since he fell in his first fight with Dillashaw all those years ago.
Nevertheless, he is preparing to fight again in 2025, because GFL Barao vs Faber 3 will organize during an event later this year.
Only time will learn whether Barao will break his long losing streak against a man he has already defeated twice.
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