Cole Escovedo vs. Renan Barao Booked for UFC 130
by Scott Haber on Apr 22, 2011 3:26 PM EDT
in UFC News
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Brazilian bantamweight phenom, Renan Barao, was in need of a new opponent for UFC 130, after his original match-up with Demetrious Johnson was scrapped when Johnson stepped in to face Miguel Torres on the same card. Now Barao will face the WEC's first-ever featherweight champion, and a man who's tried very hard to get the attention of the UFC in recent months: Cole Escovedo. The UFC announced the bout today:
WEC veteran Cole Escovedo, the organization's first featherweight champ, will make his UFC debut at bantamweight against top Brazilian prospect Renan Barao at UFC 130, as the two have verbally agreed to the matchup.
Escovedo spoke to BloodyElbow.com's own Matt Bishop, earlier this month, about the disappointment of trying out for the current season of the The Ultimate Fighter, but not getting a call back:
"I haven't heard anything back from them," Escovedo said last week on Bloody Elbow Radio. "I've been trying to build an upswell and a following, trying to market myself and get some attention out there so they don't pass up my application. I kinda figured I would've gotten a phone call back by now to go to Vegas for the medicals and follow-up interviews. I'm just starting to hear that other fighters are going. I even heard a guy I just beat in January is going. I'm starting to get frustrated. I'm trying to cause an uproar to get some attention my way."
It looks like the "Apache Kid" will now get his chance to cause an uproar, but he faces a very stiff challenge in Barao on May 28th. Although given the challenges Escovedo has faced during his MMA career, including a staph infection that left him partially paralyzed and nearly forced his retirement, it's doubtful he'll be intimidated.
Cole "Apache Kid" Escovedo (16-7)
Win Stephen Siler (submission - triangle) - Showdown Fights New Blood
Loss Michihiro Omigawa (submission - straight armbar) - DREAM 16
Loss Michael McDonald (KO - punches) - TPF 5
Renan "Barao" do Nascimento Mota Pegado (25-1)
Win Chris Cariaso (submission - RNC) - WEC 53
Win Anthony Leone (submission - armbar) - WEC 49
Win Sergio Silva Rodrigues (unanimous decision) - Jungle Fight 17
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That 25 fight win streak,
while impressive in and of itself, was not over sterling competition. The combined record of the opponents that constitute that win streak are 171-122, which works out to be around a .580 win ratio, or around a 7-5 average record.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest!
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Apr 23, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Bummed out that Barao's last fight wasn't shown.
Seems like a hell of a prospect!
Classic mistake
of overcommiting to the Kimura, and allowing the opponent to counter with a far- side armbar. GSP made that same mistake against Hughes.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest!
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Apr 23, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Escovedo
had nothing for Omigawa. This should be a good introduction for Barao to the UFC.
by mictlantechutli on Apr 22, 2011 6:44 PM EDT reply actions
It was painstaking,
but out of curiosity, I added up the combined win/ loss record of Barao’s opponents. It works out to:
- 200 wins, 130 losses.
- His only loss (which was also his pro debut) was to a guy who is 29-8.
- 9 of his career wins are over guys with sub .500 records.
- He has close to a 75% finish rate.
The guy hasn’t really faced top competition yet, and has done his fair share of can crushing, but is obviously skilled. Cole Escovedo is basically the exact opposite, with a 17-6 career record. However, his losses are only to top competition.
I think Escovedo will be a very good litmus test for Barao.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest!
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
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