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If Renan Barao vs. a healthy Dominick Cruz happened tomorrow, who do you think would win and why?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Barao's a beast, Cruz is a genius, so it's really a philosophical debate here. What do I favor more; athleticism or intelligence. I'm fat, lazy, smart, and snarky; so give me the smart guy with the game plan and the angles!
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
With Cruz being healthy, and more importantly, at full speed, I can see Cruz outlasting and punishing Barao. Cruz coming off the layoff will be a different story though. Barao looked slowed down a bit this past Saturday, and that won't help if Cruz is even half of what he was before his injury. Cruz would win this fight, and would still be a favorite after the long layoff.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I would give the edge to Barao because of Cruz's long layoff. I don't think you can take that much time off and come back in peak form. If both guys are in good shape with no ring rust, I would favor Cruz by a slight margin. I think Barao is still getting better, though, so that will change soon.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Renan Barao. He looked like a beast against McDonald and I really don't know if I believe that Cruz will ever be fully healthy again in his career. That kind of surgery does a ton of damage to your body, I've personally had surgery to repair a torn ACL and I've never been the same, but I'm surely not Dominick Cruz. Even on an off night Barao looked like a monster against a guy who should have been more trouble, Barao will ultimately prevail.
TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
This is a fight that I will be patiently waiting for. Dominick Cruz vs Renan Barao will be a candidate for fight of the year, that is, if Cruz comes back healthy. I hope that Cruz does and when that time comes, I'm sure there will be questions regarding his speed and cage rust. This past weekend Barao demonstrated his strength and distinguished grappling ability that can stir trouble and make the fight with Cruz that much more interesting. With that said, If the fight happened tomorrow, and Cruz was at 100%, the long layoff will have a negative impact on Cruz, and Barao will reign supreme at 135.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Barao would win that fight. He is huge for a bamtamweight and he is the best all around fighter at the weight. Cruz is great at getting in and getting out in exchanges, but Barao is fast and strong enough to negate that advantage. He will eventually get close to Cruz and take him down. I do not feel like anyone at 135 can prevent Barao from taking them down. Barao will win by submission or ground and pound.
JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I would take a healthy Cruz in a heartbeat. Cruz's wrestling would negate Barao's submission game, and he doesn't seem to react well when his opponents set the pace on the feet.
With Cruz's knee being the way it is, I think a fight between the two would be a tossup, but I think a healthy Cruz would give Barao fits.
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STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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