UFC 214: Aljamain Sterling Dominates Former Champion Renan Barao … Everywhere — Highlights & Recap

On Saturday, the UFC hosted its most stacked card of the year with UFC 214 in Anaheim, California.

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao fought bantamweight contender Aljaimain Sterling at a 140-pound catchweight on the prelims.

Both fighters started the fight with kicks to the body. Sterling went for a kick but fell to the ground. He then went for a leg lock. Barao got free and took top position. Sterling was active off of his back, but Barao managed to smother Sterling on the ground. Sterling threatened with submissions from the bottom. The round ended with  Barao landing short punches from on top.

Sterling landed a combination early in the second round. Barao responded with a combination of his own. Barao used a kick to trip Sterling to the ground. He then went for a submission but Sterling escaped. Sterling then went for a takedown and got Barao to the ground. Sterling then took Barao’s back. On the ground, Barao went for a full nelson. He then began landing punches until Barao moved to his back. Sterling then landed elbows from Barao’s guard. The round ended with Sterling landing ground and pound.

Sterling landed a couple punches and a front kick to start the final round. After landing an elbow, Sterling went for a takedown, but Barao stayed on his feet. Sterling managed to hold Barao up against the cage until the referee separated the fighters. After trading strikes, Sterling went for another takedown. Sterling got Barao against the cage until the referee once again separated the fighters. Barao went for a takedown of his own. He failed to get Sterling on the mat but he managed to take his back. In the final seconds, Barao took Sterling down and secured his back.

Official Result:

Aljamain Sterling def. Renan Barao by unanimous decision