Barao on the move in pound-for-pound rankings

With Weidman vs. Belfort set for Memorial Day weekend, and with Silva out of the picture for at least many months and perhaps forever, the jostling for

Jeff Wagenheim | Feb 4, 2014

Barao on the move in pound-for-pound rankings /

Renan Barao make quick work of Uriah Faber in their bantamweight championship fight on Feb. 1. — Renan Barao make quick work of Uriah Faber in their bantamweight championship fight on Feb. 1 :: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

With Weidman vs. Belfort set for Memorial Day weekend, and with Silva out of the picture for at least many months and perhaps forever, the jostling for position begins. The UFC Fight Night card in Brazil on Feb. 15 features a couple of bouts that will boost one or two contenders toward the top of the heap. There's Machida vs. Mousasi, of course, and also Souza vs. Francis Carmont. Either of the two Brazilians could find himself in a title bout with a win this month. If both are impressive, maybe they do a little rock-paper-scissors to see who gets the shot.

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Published Feb 4, 2014

JEFF WAGENHEIM

Paradoxically, Jeff Wagenheim considers himself a pacifist (except when driving in traffic) but nonetheless writes about mixed martial arts, the world's most combative sport (other than driving in traffic). As a veteran of three decades in magazines and newspapers, he's a bit grayer than most who attend UFC fights, even along press row. (A fan watching an MMA media panel show recently referred to him as "that crazy hippie uncle," to which Jeff responds, "Groovy, man!") Wagenheim also has tackled pro football for SI.com, and writes about sports and the arts for The Boston Globe. When he's not on the road chasing the UFC, Jeff spends Sunday afternoons spinning Sleepy LaBeef and Boozoo Chavis records for a popular (but not pop) radio show in western Massachusetts.