This fight hasn't been getting a lot of play lately so I'm thinking we need to have a discussion.
Barao is a bad ass. No doubt. He's a one man wrecking crew with all the tools to be a legend and he's well on his way already with the utter decimation he hands out.
Cruz, though, has one of those styles that doesn't lend itself well to the destroyer's hand. Assuming he's one hundred percent, I see him giving Barao all kinds of problems with the way he comes in and out.
Will it be utter dominance? No, and it's probably going to be frustrating to watch, but I think Cruz comes back, and in a great story ends up keeping his title as the champion in a five round decision.
What say you?
My worry with Cruz is that his style is completely dependent on agility and lateral movement, and those are the last things to come back after a catastrophic knee injury. He's also going to be rusty as hell after sitting out two years.
I think Barao wins and Cruz looks bad in the process. Hopefully, in another year or two, he works his way back to a rematch and gives a better account of himself.
Cruz has been out for more than two years. No way I take him in this one.
Its gonna be tough for Cruz, real tough. But it's MMA so we shall see.
Thanks devils advocate i was gonna post that exact thing.
I think Cruz's fencing style MMA is damn near impossible to beat for anyone not quicker and longer than he is.
The question is, how much quickness has Cruz lost? Barao is pretty damn quick himself.
I take Zombie Cruz then
dangerboy12 - I think Cruz's fencing style MMA is damn near impossible to beat for anyone not quicker and longer than he is.This
The question is, how much quickness has Cruz lost? Barao is pretty damn quick himself.

RearNakedJoke -devils advocate -This is 2 cadaver ACLs ago.Steve4192 - My worry with Cruz is that his style is completely dependent on agility and lateral movement, and those are the last things to come back after a catastrophic knee injury. He's also going to be rusty as hell after sitting out two years.
I think Barao wins and Cruz looks bad in the process. Hopefully, in another year or two, he works his way back to a rematch and gives a better account of himself.
after, i got cruz
http://instagram.com/p/h9YdcHKIF5/
Two words
Adrian Peterson
Cruz will win
Am I the only one who gets tired of watching Cruz just run away the whole fight picking and pecking little shots? The guy belongs in boxing, not mma.
Tao - Am I the only one who gets tired of watching Cruz just run away the whole fight picking and pecking little shots? The guy belongs in boxing, not mma.The dude throws a ton of strikes with bad intentions. I love seeing someone in MMA actually utilize footwork.

MyGodThisMMA -This, footwork is the most under-utilised tool in all of MMA, when someone can move and throw shots like Dom does I could watch it all day.Tao - Am I the only one who gets tired of watching Cruz just run away the whole fight picking and pecking little shots? The guy belongs in boxing, not mma.The dude throws a ton of strikes with bad intentions. I love seeing someone in MMA actually utilize footwork.

VinegarStrokes - Cruz has been out for more than two years. No way I take him in this one.this, as good as Cruz is, this plays a huge factor..

Id say Barao is ganna be throwing some evil leg kicks in this fight, i dont like Cruz's chances lol
I'm picking cruz
Its hard to pick against Cruz, hes a workhorse, his fight breakdown is amazing. He gets it. I dont know how it wont be a great candidate for FOTY. May the best man win, shit we all win being able to watch these savages scrap
devils advocate -Haha well played. War cruzSteve4192 - My worry with Cruz is that his style is completely dependent on agility and lateral movement, and those are the last things to come back after a catastrophic knee injury. He's also going to be rusty as hell after sitting out two years.
I think Barao wins and Cruz looks bad in the process. Hopefully, in another year or two, he works his way back to a rematch and gives a better account of himself.

Zombie knee Cruz got dis
200% may be too much to handle. I got Cruz via dance moves.