Bantamweights Brad Pickett and Renan Barao booked for UFC 138 in England

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has added another fight to the UFC 138 card in Birmingham, England for this November, as bantamweights Brad Pickett and Renan Barao will square off on the card.

The organization's U.K. office announced the fight through their Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon.

Pickett makes his long awaited UFC debut after injuries kept him out of action for much of the year. The London native compiled a 3-1 mark in the WEC in 2009 and 2010, his sole loss coming by decision against Scotty Jorgensen. He was scheduled to debut in the UFC against Miguel Torres at UFC 130 before an injury pulled him from the event.

Barao will attempt to continue his streak under the Zuffa banner after successfully making his own UFC debut in May. Barao is unbeaten since his career debut fight, going 26-0 with one no contest since then. He picked up two wins in the WEC before defeating Cole Escovedo by decision in his UFC debut at UFC 130.

UFC 138 will air via same-day delay in the U.S. on Spike TV, headlined by a five-round non-title fight between Chris Leben and Mark Munoz.

Penick's Analysis: This is a really good bantamweight fight. Barao has compiled an excellent record, but when it's been in his native Brazil for the most part there have been questions about how well he'd translate that to success against tougher competition. He's done well thus far, but this will be his biggest opponent to date.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9953.shtml

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