The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 88 featured former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao making his Featherweight debut against veteran UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens.
Renan Barao showed in the opening minute that he was the much faster fighter, hitting Stephens with quick combinations while escaping Stephens’ big punches. While continuing to out work Stephens, Barao shot for a takedown but was unsuccessful. Stephens tried a takedown of his own, but Barao was able to keep his perfect takedown defense intact. Barao finished the round with a takedown attempt, almost completing it while sliding onto Stephens’ back.
A huge swing in momentum took place at the beginning of the second round as Stephens started landing uppercut after uppercut. Barao looked noticeably wobbled as well looked to have slowed down. Barao responded by going for another takedown, but to no avail. Stephens continued to land with heavy punches, with Barao’s energy seemingly sucked out of him. The round ended with a takedown for Barao, which Stephens quickly got back up from.
The third round was a battle between two very tired fighters who were looking to land the knockout punch. While Stephens was landing harder shots, he was also winging on a lot of punches. Barao continued to press for the takedown, getting Stephens down to the mat for a bit midway through the round. The final thirty seconds saw both men swinging wildly to the end.
Jeremy Stephens def. Renan Barao by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)