Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao: How Faber Can Defeat Barao

Urijah Faber has a big task on his hands tonight when he squares off with the dangerous Brazilian, Renan Barao. Although his opponent is one of the best in the world, Faber has a great chance of winning this fight tonight.

Barao has many weapons that Faber needs to avoid. To begin with, Barao is well-versed on the feet and has dangerous submissions. You may be thinking, "Well, isn't that every area of the fight?"

No, not nearly every area. In fact, the two biggest factors in the fight may come down to clinch fighting and wrestling. Both of those areas will favor the stronger, more experienced Faber.

Faber is going to need to set up takedowns and clinch work with his striking. While Barao may have a heavy arsenal of strikes, Faber is a very powerful, technical boxer. He can handle himself on the feet as long as he wants, but will ultimately need to use his striking to set up takedowns.

When he does get takedowns, he is going to have to sit heavy on Barao. Wearing the Brazilian down will not only wither his cardio, but eat away at his confidence. When he does get tired, the patented Alpha Male guillotine choke could make an appearance.

And when Faber sinks in that choke, it usually spells the end. 

If he sticks to the clinch game, he would be best suited to use his elbows and knees. Faber is going to be the much stronger fighter physically, so he should be able to handle Barao against the cage.

Again, this could lead to a takedown. This proves, yet again, that wrestling will be the "X" factor in this fight.

Yes, Barao is very well-trained in submissions. There is the possibility that Barao could pull off a submission on Faber, but with all of Faber's experience and top pressure, I think this is an unlikely scenario.

If Faber can get the fight into the later rounds, he can finish Barao. Faber has cardio for days, and if he wears Barao out with his wrestling, he will run the table and earn himself the interim title.