Renan Barao vs Urijah Faber — Fight recap

Renan Barao defeated Urijah Faber by unanimous decision over five rounds on July 21, 2012, in a striking-heavy bantamweight title fight that saw neither fighter attempt a takedown. Barao landed 85 significant strikes from 290 attempts (29%), with 55 shots to the head, while Faber countered with 60 significant strikes from 178 attempts (33%), including 38 to the head.

Despite Faber's superior striking accuracy and a failed takedown attempt late in the fight, Barao's volume and consistency across all five rounds secured the unanimous verdict under referee Mario Yamasaki. The bout established Barao as a dominant force in the division, signaling a potential changing of the guard at 135 pounds.