Barao picks up 1st win at 145 pounds with decision over Nover

He may not have been in championship form, but Renan Barao can enjoy his latest win all the same.

The former bantamweight king won for the first time at 145 pounds on Saturday, taking a unanimous decision over Phillipe Nover in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Barao has not had his hand raised since a submission of Mitch Gagnon on Dec. 20, 2014. That win was sandwiched between a pair of title-fight losses to TJ Dillashaw and Jeremy Stephens, the latter of which was his debut in the featherweight division. He is now 1-1 in his new weight class.

Despite a spirited effort from Nover, the pace of the fight was dictated by Barao. He repeatedly beat Nover to the punch, using leg kicks to soften his opponent up before charging in with swift combinations. Barao did not escape unscathed, as Nover was able to catch him with a counter on more than one occasion.

In Round 2, Barao evoked memories of his championship days, connecting with a wicked flying knee and experiencing even more success with striking exchanges inside.

Barao secured the win with a takedown in the final frame to send Nover to his fifth loss over two separate stints with the UFC. The former "Ultimate Fighter" finalist can claim a moral victory by going the distance with Barao, but he ends up on the wrong end of the scores for the second fight in a row.