UFC Fight Night 88 results: Jeremy Stephens ruins Renan Barao’s featherweight debut

Renan Barao returned to the UFC Octagon at UFC Fight Night 88 Sunday evening.

Taking on Jeremy Stephens in the night’s co-main event, Barao tested his skills at featherweight, 10 pounds north of his usual bantamweight division. At 135 pounds, Barao captured the UFC title and thrice defended it before losing to T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 173. After bouncing back from that defeat with a win over Mitch Gagnon, Barao against lost to Dillashaw, this time signaling the need for change.

He found that adjustment in the form of a move up to 145, but the result was the same: defeat.

In Round 1, Barao showcased his speed, catching Stephens with some powerful punches and kicks. The former champ’s movement was fluid, and he avoided punishment while winging hooks, spinning kicks, leg kicks, and more. Stephens continually looked for counters hell-bent on decapitation, but Barao’s movement kept him out of trouble.

Barao searched for the takedown twice early in Round 2, shooting in on …

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