Aggression or Elusiveness: Who will win Cruz vs. Barao?
Posted on July 23, 2012, 02:54 PM by Mike DrahotaWith Renan Barao's convincing defeat of consensus number-one contender Urijah Faber at UFC 149, talk shifts to his looming bout with current Bantamweight titleholder Dominick Cruz. Cruz, who still remains on the shelf following major knee surgery, is rumored to be unable to fight until March of 2013 at the earliest. While the main event of UFC 149 has been much-maligned over the past few days as not delivering, the fact remains that Renan Barao is one of the most gifted and well-rounded fighters in the lower weight divisions of the UFC. So, how would he fare against “The Dominator,” who has done just that at 135 lbs. since obtaining the belt?
On paper, the discussion is that of Barao's relentless aggression versus Cruz's unending, confusing movement. Both fighters present an enigma of sorts to their opponents, which is what makes them so good in the first place. Barao seems to attack from all angles as we saw last weekend, throwing leg kicks, flying knees, and even spinning high kicks. These diverse strikes make him highly unpredictable and hard to prepare a gameplan for. His offense is so good that it becomes his defense in a way, because his opponents never have time to settle in and find a rhythm while fending off his multitude of strikes. The great Urijah Faber saw this firsthand in Calgary last Saturday.
Cruz, on the other hand, utilizes a stick-and-move strategy coupled with great wrestling that makes him tough to get to the ground. His movement is almost revolutionary in its uniqueness. This does not always translate into fights that fans clamor to see, evident by the fact that he participated in the only UFC title fight not on pay-per-view or major network television versus Demetrious Johnson at UFC Live last October. He last finished a fight when he won the WEC Bantamweight championship versus Brian Bowles, and that was a doctor stoppage. I'm not saying Cruz isn't a great fighter, because he is, but his style is geared towards winning elusive unanimous decisions. I don't see Barao getting much of a chance to use his BJJ black belt here.
Barao is highly known for being a finisher, be it submissions or knockouts. However, he has gone the distance in 3 out of his first 4 UFC bouts. This fact makes me think a fight between the Interim champ and the current champ would likely go to the judges' scorecards. I think that Barao would be effective in cutting off all of the angles that Cruz loves to take, earning a split decision in a war of attrition. A fully healthy Cruz would obviously stand a better chance, as his knee injury may very well have cut off his lateral movement somewhat. From what I have seen, Barao does possess shades of training partner Jose Aldo, although he still has a lot to learn from the 145 lb. champion.
The buildup to this fight is a tough spot for the UFC to be in, in that it is a bout they have to make but also one that could lead to more outcry from knockout-hungry fans around the world. Barao is willing to engage, but Cruz always come to evade. Fans may write the bout off as more of the same due to how UFC 149 played out. Hopefully it doesn't resign the lower weights classes to a boring classification. As fans, how do you see Renan Barao vs. Dominick Cruz playing out?
Comments
I think the title describes the matter of the fight wrong, from my view-point Cruz is just as aggressive as elusive but it isn't noticed as much since he doesn't have KO power.
Barao really proved to me in the Faber fight he is one of the best fighters in the world and is top 10 P4P but I think Cruz is just an overall better fighter, only being disadvantaged in the power and BJJ areas.
I'm taking Cruz in an exciting decision by being one of the best fighters alive.
Cruz is no doubt great. Facing a top fighter off an ACL is always tough though. He is aggressive with counterstrikes, but he just hasn't finished off too many fighters as of late.
I disagree. I think overall, Barao is a better fighter. I think he'll match the speed of Cruz with better technical striking while having more power.
I see Barao taking the title, in a decisive five-round decision.
Respect your view on it but don't agree, that's what makes these forums interesting though!
I think Cruz while unorthodox, is incredibly technical. One of his best assets, which him less finishes but keeps him from getting tagged, is the fact he rarely over reaches with his trikes and never throws himself off balance, this allows him to be able to cut out at an angle and either land another strike or just get out of the way of the counter.
Barao on the other hand stands right in front of you and throws most of his weight forward, which leaves more opening (was nullified in the Faber fight due to reach) but gives a lot more power.
My take on the striking difference
You know the reason Cruz has such good balance, its because his ears they act as counter weights
Rumor has it his great grandfather was a mosquito.
after such a long layoff and major injury barao will have a huge advantage and will probably end up winning possibly even finishing cruz
One thing is for sure...Barao took care of Jorgensen and Faber in a way that Cruz did not...so I guess the champ has a good chalenge ahead of him....very very even this one.
Barao definitely did a better job with Faber but Cruz put on one of the best 5 round performances I have seen against Jorgensen.
From the opening bell tot he last, Cruz dominated Scott in every area are received practically no damage.
Barao might have come closer to finishing him but took a lot more hits in the process.
Barao wasn't much more impressive against Faber than Cruz was. Take away the couple knockdowns Faber enjoyed against Dominick, and it was a shut out decision (even with the knockdowns I scored it 50-45).
Barao shut down Faber with technical striking and length, Cruz shut him down with takedowns and movement.
It will all come down to that first takedown. If Cruz steamrolls Barao to the floor like he has everybody else it will be the same old story. Cruz's movement coupled with the threat of a takedown is just too much for anybody at 135 to handle.
Now if Barao stops the first couple, it becomes his fight to lose.
Finally. This fight is about wrestling, not striking. Don't get me wrong, of course both of these guys have fantastic standup, but it's not about that, because I don't see either one dominating in that aspect. However, if Cruz can get this fight to the ground a few times, which I believe he can, he will win a clear cut decision.
Cruz > Barao
Barao>Cruz. I just hope they are both healthy.
Lets see how Cruz is doing physically before we make predictions. His leg kicks are a huge part of his hit and run tactics (God I hate that style...CONDIT)
Barao is going to eat that little b*tch Eddie Munster Cruz for lunch, then use a toothpick to remove little pieces of his ribcage from his teeth.