• UFC 148

Hougland charged with stopping Barao title charge

ESPN staff
March 19, 2012
Renan Barao is on a title charge © Getty Images
Enlarge

Renan Barao now knows who he must overcome in order to stay on course for a title shot, after the UFC paired him with Jeff Hougland at UFC 148.

On the same day that Michael Bisping verbally agreed to a fight with Tim Boetsch, the names of Barao and Hougland have been put together in a significant bantamweight battle.

Brilliant Brazilian Barao is the No. 3 bantamweight in the world. Once Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber settle their differences, Barao is widely expected to be next to challenge for the title.

He isn't prepared to stay inactive until that time arrives, though. Instead, he will cement his place as the next 135lb No. 1 contender against a man who is in the form of his life.

Hougland has won his last nine bouts, most recently defeating Donny Walker. A black belt in jiu-jitsu, Hougland has ended seven of his ten victories via submission.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices