UFC on Fuel TV 7: Renen Barao vs. Michael McDonald – A Closer Look

Last July, 135-pound champion Dominick Cruz was set to defend his belt at UFC 148 against long-time nemesis, Urijah Faber to conclude theirhighly anticipated trilogy. Unfortunately, Cruz suffered a torn ACL weeks before the match therefore withdrawing from the title defense.

In his absence, an interim title was christened pitting Urijah Faber against top contender, Renen Barao in the main event at UFC 149 to determine the new 135-pound UFC interim champion. After a 25-minute war, Renen emerged victorious with a unanimous decision earning a shiny new piece of jewelry around his waist. Content on waiting forCruz’ return, the Brazilian favored a title unification.

The organization had other plans granting UFC standout, Michael McDonald a shot at Renen’s belt while Cruz recovers. Now, as the UFC travels across the pond for the first time this year, Fuel TV will play host to the interim title match between Barao and McDonald as they collide at the world famous Wembley Arena in London, England for the “UFC on Fuel TV 7” main event. Here is a closer look at what to expect come Saturday night in the United Kingdom when these two talented bantamweights are locked in the cage. Renen Barao Pegado (31-1, 1 NC) has lost only once his entire MMA run.

That was by decision in his 2005 pro debut and the brilliant Brazilian hasn’t tasted defeat since. What’s also noteworthy is that over half of his 31 victories have come by way of finishes. Renen fought mainly in Brazil before making his American debut inside the WEC cage in 2010. He rattled off 2 submission victories that year; the first by 3rd round armbar at WEC 49 & then a 1st round rear naked choke at WEC 53.

The pride of Brazil was welcomed to the Octagon by Cole Escovedo the following year at UFC 130, a match where Renen picked up a unanimous decision win. Later that year he engaged dangerous striker, Brad Pickett, whom he submitted via rear naked choke in the 1st round of their UFC 138 match. The following year, the Nova Uniao team member grabbed two unanimous decision victories.

The first was against 1-time WEC title contender, Scott Jorgensen, a highly decorated wrestler who Renen outworked and outgunned in their UFC 143 battle. Next, was former WEC 145-pound champion Urijah Faber, who had absolutely no answer for Renen’s beautiful footwork behind a mixed bag of solid leg kicks, jabs and hooks. Unbeaten inside the Octagon, the interim champ defends his crown for the first time in his first trip to the UK.

Michael “Mayday” McDonald (15-1, 1NC) has only lost once in his entire career since turning pro in 2007. That lone loss came at the hands of Cole Escovedo in 2009 after McDonald had strung together a 7-fight winning streak. Following the defeat, McDonald quickly rebounded with 3 consecutive KO wins.

The first two happened inside of the 1st round and the latter in a rematch with Escovedo, where Michael got revenge in the form of a 2nd round KO. In 2010, “Mayday” stepped into the blue cage for the one and only time in his career, earning a 1st round submission over Clint Godfrey at WEC 52.

McDonald chose 2011 as the year for his UFC debut, heading into Fight Night 24 to pick up a unanimous decision triumph over Edwin Figueroa that March. In November, he closed out in stellar fashion knocking out Alex Soto at UFC 139 in less than 1 minute.

The Californian then really made the world take notice last year at UFC 145 when he was paired up against former WEC 135-pound champion, Miguel Angel Torres. A devastating uppercut followed by some vicious ground and pound in the 1st stanza separated Torres’ from his senses, giving McDonald the “Knockout of the Night” bonus.

Owning over 30 finishes in their combined 46 victories makes it hard to imagine that this championship fight will need a judge’s scorecard. The two went undefeated in their respective WEC appearances and continued that trend remaining unbeaten in each of their 4 Octagon appearances. Both warriors are parallel in youth, have successfully dispatched of former champions, posses a high rate of finishes and even in defeat both men went the distance. However, they are opposites in experience and motivation.

Renen Barao has gone 5 rounds inside the Octagon and knows what it’s like headlining a ruckus UFC event. He is the first Brazilian 135-pound UFC title holder in history and would like to keep things that way. Michael McDonald on the other hand prepares to fulfill what he believes is his destiny.

The American stands on the verge of making history as the youngest UFC champion on record if his 22-year old frame can withstand the fire and rise out of the ashes draped in UFC gold. Will the reigning interim champion Barao triumph in his first title defense or can McDonald pull off the upset simultaneously engraving himself into the MMA history books? We will find out this weekend from the Wimbley Arena in London, England for “UFC on Fuel TV 7: Barao vs. McDonald ” live this Saturday.