Do u think Henan Barao will ever be Top 5 at FW?

Will he?


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Simple question. I think he looked good against Jeremy and learned from the size disadvantage. Had he faced a FW like a Cub or Oliviera that night i think he wouldve won. Jeremy is a kind of rough matchup.

FW is arguably the most stacked division in MMA tho not only the depth but the top talent too. Frankie, Jose and Conor are all champ level fighters. Chad is right there. Max is prolly on that level too and Ricardo himself aint far. But u have dudes like Choi, Yair and Mirsad who are bound to be top guys soon. So do u think Henan will ever make Top 5?

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NO, I dont think he will. I am a big fan of his, but I just dont think he's that good. At BW he would be top 5, but not at FW
 
Health wise, he looked good at FW despite his loss. He didn't look as drained and was able to take some big shots. It's tough to say though because FW is so stacked. Would love to see him against Doo Ho Choi at some point.
 
He showed a lot of heart and actually connected with a couple of solid shots, I think he'll reach top 5.
 
I didn't think he looked much smaller than stephens tbh. He can do it!
 
Not sure, it feels like he's gone the way of Miguel Torres. He's got a awesome BJJ game, but shitty take downs. He needs to evolve his striking and wrestling...reinvent himself with a different camp imo.
 
He's already on the decline. You don't lose to Stephens and hope to contend for the belt.
 
Stephens is a very hard matchup for renan stylistically, other than McGregor i think Stephens is baraos worst matchup.
I think he would have a good shot against korean zombie, bermudez, and cub
 
He showed a lot of heart and actually connected with a couple of solid shots, I think he'll reach top 5.

I think he'll reach top 5, and I like him a lot, but I don't feel he showed heart in his fight with Stephens.

Before the fight started, there was a big difference in Barao's demeanor compared to Stephens'. I know that is bro logic, but there it is. Then Barao withered as the fight went on. It seems to me he has the skills, but not the hustle.

But I'm not discounting what you're saying. Why do you think he has heart?
 

Lol.

I don't think he is top 5 material. He looked a lot better than his last couple fights like you stated, but he looked a lot smaller than Stephens. 145 is a pretty damn good division now. At 135 he's easily top 5, but that's a weak division compared to 145.
 
If he continues to take the amount of damage he's taking in his recent fights he'd be lucky if he can still count to 5 in a couple of years.
 
Since his first fight with TJ, he seems to lack the speed & timing he previously had. He has also taken much head shots since then. I don't think we will see Barao becoming a contender again.
 
I think he'll reach top 5, and I like him a lot, but I don't feel he showed heart in his fight with Stephens.

Before the fight started, there was a big difference in Barao's demeanor compared to Stephens'. I know that is bro logic, but there it is. Then Barao withered as the fight went on. It seems to me he has the skills, but not the hustle.

But I'm not discounting what you're saying. Why do you think he has heart?

Fair enough, I felt Barao got rocked early in the second round and he continued to get rocked repeatedly for the remainder of the fight, I was surprised he wasn't put away in the second so I definitely didn't think he'd make it to the end.

Also a lot of times fighters like Barao who have been regarded so highly when they find themselves in that position where it seems they're about to be put away, will begin fighting a bit safe and dance around the outside almost hoping to make it to the final bell, but all along Renan stayed in the center of the octagon didn't shy away from exchanges etc. He definitely lost but I saw his will to win or go out on his shield which I respect.
 
I voted yes. He'll adjust & come back. Don't think he's done yet. He looked fantastic in RD1.
 

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