Jorgensen: ‘Barao’ in for Rude Awakening at UFC 143

Renan “Barao” Pegado has won 27 fights in a row. Scott Jorgensen doesn’t put much stock into that streak, though, heading into their matchup Saturday at UFC 143.

“I’ve wrestled against guys all through my career and competed against guys that have had great winning streaks,” Jorgensen told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.” “The biggest thing you’ve got to remember is, it’s a gambler’s fallacy. It doesn’t matter what happened in the 27 fights prior to UFC 143. Every time he steps into that cage, it’s a whole new game. It doesn’t matter. His confidence may be riding high and all that, but it’s a whole new fight.”

Barao hasn’t lost since April 2005. Although many of his wins have come in Brazil against opponents not everyone will recognize, he was also 2-0 in the WEC and is now 2-0 in the UFC. Most recently he submitted Brad Pickett with a rear-naked choke in November.

“His toughest opponent to date was Brad Pickett,” Jorgensen said. “He finished him, but I walked through Brad in three rounds, a unanimous decision 30-27. It’s going to be a good fight. It’s going to be fun, but he’s going to get a rude awakening. He’s never fought a wrestler that can put him down at will and that’s got a chin like his, that can stand there and bang as well.”

Jorgensen has lost just once in his last eight fights -- a decision to UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. He has used his wrestling and strength to overwhelm opponents, and he believes he’ll be able to do the same against Barao.

“When I say he hasn’t faced a wrestler like me, he hasn’t faced anybody with the ability to put him down on the ground as easy as I can,” Jorgensen said. “Renan’s been fortunate enough to be the guy that does that on his accord.”

Jorgensen expects to be the one who decides where the fight will be fought -- standing or on the ground -- Saturday. He knows the Nova Uniao product is well rounded, but he’s been preparing for Barao’s jiu-jitsu game in particular. In fact, Jorgensen has been training with Royler Gracie black belt Diego Moraes and his brother Daniel.

“They’re the ones who got me ready to go 15 minutes on the ground with Jeff Curran,” Jorgensen said. “Team Moraes Jiu-Jitsu, they’re responsible for everything I’ve learned on the ground right now. It’s the first time I’ve ever had a [jiu-jitsu] coach.”

Jorgensen had his coaches and teammates watch footage of Barao, but he’s also seen enough himself to anticipate a barnburner.

“Don’t blink,” he said, “because I’ll guarantee you this: Barao’s not one to shy away from a gunfight. I’m not either. It’s going to be a nonstop war.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:30:35).