Barão is dominated by Kelleher and gets complicated in the UFC

Kelleher (right) dominates Barão (left) in the UFC Orlando. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook UFC

The fight that closed the card preliminary of UFC Orlando, played on Saturday night, added another macabre chapter to the career of Renan Barao. The former bantamweight champion, who is going through the worst phase of his career, had another apathetic performance and was defeated by brian kelleher by unanimous decision of the judges. The result marked the fourth setback for the native of Rio Grande do Norte in the last five fights.

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The fight

Barão achieved some good moments in the round initial, especially with his well-known low kicks. However, with offensive volume and high pace, Kelleher began to put pressure on the former belt owner, leaving him in a defensive position for almost the entire fight.

Kelleher's dominance was displayed in punch combinations, in pressure on the clinch and even leaking Barão's previously impregnable takedown defense. The American increased his advantage in the third round, when he left the native of Rio Grande do Norte on the verge of being knocked out. As on other occasions, Renan showed heart and remained standing until the end, but he was barely able to stand when the last horn sounded and the fight ended.

With two scores of 30-27 and one 29-28, Kelleher reached his third victory in four fights in the UFC. Barão, with his bad record, sees his situation getting complicated in the biggest MMA organization in the world.

UFC Orlando results:

MAIN CARD

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Jeremy Stephens derrotou Josh Emmett 1m35s of R1

Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Jessica Stacker derrotou Tecia torres in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)

Light heavyweight (up to 93,0 kg): Ilir Latifi submitted Ovince St-Preux with a guillotine choke 3m38s into R1;

Welterweight: Max griffin derrotou Mike Perry in the unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-27);

Preliminary Card

Bantamweight: brian kelleher derrotou Renan Barao in the unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28);

Bantamweight: Marion Reneau submitted Sara McMann with a triangle at 3:40 of R2;

Straw Weight: Angela Hill derrotou Maryna moroz in the unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27);

Welterweight: Alan Jouban defeated Ben Saunders by knockout (punches) at 2:38 of R2;

Light Heavyweight: Sam alvey derrotou Marcin Prachnio by technical knockout (punches) at 4:23 of R1;

Bantamweight: Rani Yaya submitted Russell Doane with a katagatame at 2:32 of R3;

Flyweight: Alex Perez defeated Eric Shelton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bantamweight: Manny Bermudez submitted Albert Morales with a guillotine choke at 2:33 of R2