UFC 143 Fight Card: Keys to Victory for Renan Barao

In tonight's main card bantamweight bout, Brazilian prospect Renan "Barao" Pegado (27-1) will battle for a shot at a top contender fight when he faces former UFC title challenger Scott Jorgensen (13-4).

Since losing in his professional debut, Barao has strung together 26 victories with one no-contest. He is 2-0 in the UFC with wins over Cole Escovedo and Brad Pickett. He also had a two-fight run in the UFC, defeating Chris Cariaso and Anthony Leone.

Jorgensen has gone 2-0 since losing to UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and is looking to get back into the title picture with a victory over Barao. His career record consists of seven decision victories, two knockouts and four submissions.

Barao enters the bout as the favorite, but he will be in his toughest fight to-date against the All-American wrestler in Jorgensen.

If the fight stays on the feet, it could provide for some entertaining back-and-forth action. Jorgensen likes to use his punches, but Barao is a little more varied with kicks, knees and punches. He showed this in his win over Pickett before snatching a submission win in the first round.

Barao shouldn't wait for Jorgensen to take him down, which will likely be the game plan for "Young Gunz" if he finds himself getting out-struck on the feet.

Having such a good submission game allows Barao to let his strikes flow freely without the fear of being taken down. If he tags Jorgensen, he can jump on him and finish the fight however he wants: with follow-up strikes or a submission.

The keys to Barao's victory include not waiting for Jorgensen to get tired because he won't. He will have to wear him down over the course of the fight and if a finish comes, expect him to jump all over it.

As long as he doesn't rest when Jorgensen attempts the takedowns, he should do enough to get the decision win if it goes the distance.