UFC 149: Barao Outpoints Faber
UFC 149: Faber vs. Barão took place on July 21, 2012, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Renan Barão defeated Urijah Faber by unanimous decision to win the interim UFC bantamweight championship. Tim Boetsch edged Hector Lombard, Cheick Kongo outpointed Shawn Jordan, and Ryan Jimmo announced himself with a seven-second knockout. Two results from the event were later overturned to no contests, an important distinction when reviewing the card today.
Event video: UFC 149 in Calgary.
Barão controls Faber and wins interim gold
The interim title became necessary while champion Dominick Cruz recovered from a knee injury. Faber entered seeking another championship opportunity, while Barão arrived with a long unbeaten streak and an increasingly complete striking game.
Barão attacked Faber’s lead leg, managed distance with kicks and combinations, and prevented the former WEC champion from building sustained offense. The judges scored the fight 50–45, 49–46, and 49–46 for Barão, making him the interim UFC bantamweight champion.
Boetsch spoils Lombard’s UFC debut
Hector Lombard entered his UFC debut with significant expectations after a long unbeaten stretch outside the promotion. Tim Boetsch kept the fight measured, used kicks and movement, and did enough on two scorecards to earn a split decision.
Cheick Kongo defeated Shawn Jordan by unanimous decision in a clinch-heavy heavyweight fight. James Head edged Brian Ebersole by split decision, ending Ebersole’s four-fight UFC winning streak.
Two original victories were later overturned
Matt Riddle originally submitted Chris Clements with an arm-triangle choke at 2:02 of round three. The victory earned Riddle Submission of the Night on fight night. The official UFC event record now lists the bout as a no contest after the original result was overturned, so a current recap should not present Riddle as the official winner.
The same distinction applies to Francisco Rivera’s bout with Roland Delorme. Rivera originally recorded a first-round knockout at 4:19, but that result was later overturned. The official record now lists Rivera–Delorme as a no contest.
Jimmo ties a UFC speed mark in his debut
Ryan Jimmo needed only seven seconds to knock out Anthony Perosh with a right hand. The finish earned Knockout of the Night and tied the UFC’s then-record for fastest knockout.
Bryan Caraway and Mitch Gagnon produced the evening’s Fight of the Night. After repeated grappling exchanges, Caraway took Gagnon’s back and finished a rear-naked choke at 1:39 of the third round. Antonio Carvalho stopped Daniel Pineda at 1:11 of round one, Nick Ring outpointed Court McGee, and Anton Kuivanen edged Mitch Clarke by split decision.
Complete UFC 149 results
Main card
- Renan Barão def. Urijah Faber — unanimous decision; round 5, 5:00. Barão won the interim UFC bantamweight championship.
- Tim Boetsch def. Hector Lombard — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
- Cheick Kongo def. Shawn Jordan — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
- James Head def. Brian Ebersole — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
- Matt Riddle vs. Chris Clements — no contest; original submission result at round 3, 2:02 was overturned.
Preliminary card
- Nick Ring def. Court McGee — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
- Francisco Rivera vs. Roland Delorme — no contest; original first-round knockout result was overturned.
- Ryan Jimmo def. Anthony Perosh — KO (punch); round 1, 0:07.
- Bryan Caraway def. Mitch Gagnon — submission (rear-naked choke); round 3, 1:39.
- Antonio Carvalho def. Daniel Pineda — TKO (punches); round 1, 1:11.
- Anton Kuivanen def. Mitch Clarke — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
UFC 149 is remembered for Barão’s interim-title victory and Jimmo’s seven-second debut knockout, but its official record also illustrates why historical fight recaps need later commission reversals incorporated rather than simply repeating the results announced on fight night. Explore more of our MMA coverage.
Sources
Article Tags
UFC 149, UFC Results, MMA History, Barao Outpoints Faber for Interim Bantamweight Crown
