Had things gone poorly for Jose Aldo and Renan Barao at UFC 169, the population of Brazil would've been left without a UFC champion to call their own for the first time since 2006. But alas, Brazil will sleep easy on Saturday night, as both Aldo and Barao displayed their trademark dominance en route to easily retaining their UFC featherweight and bantamweight titles in Newark, NJ.

Other than a rough fifth round, it was a textbook performance from Aldo, who chopped down Ricardo Lamas to defend his WEC/UFC belt for the eighth straight time. Likewise, Barao continued to impress, ending Urijah Faber's hot streak with a furious first-round rally.

Although for the second straight UFC pay-per-view, viewers and fighters alike were left with a bitter taste in their mouths -- this time as a result of referee Herb Dean's questionable stoppage in the night's main event. And not surprisingly, Dean's call become the most popular point of contention in the ensuing post-fight discourse.

Raw deal @UrijahFaber. You sir are all class, mad respect as always, as much for how you handle yourself then for anything else #UFC169 @ufc — Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) February 2, 2014

Damn. Renan Barao is that dude tho. #UFC168 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) February 2, 2014

I thought the stoppage was early personally but I don't agree with better safe than sorry lol its the fighter in me I guess #UFC169 — Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 2, 2014

Always a bridesmaid... Never a bride — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) February 2, 2014

Shit stoppage there by herb dean. Granted baroa had faber hurt but at time of stoppage faber was blocking the strikes being thrown #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

Wow sucks cuz Herb is usually a great ref but that stoppage was dogshit. What a shitty night of fights. — joey beltran (@mexicutioner760) February 2, 2014

Dammmm that a championship fight, got to let it go a little longer! — Cung Le (@CungLe185) February 2, 2014

Waaaaaaaaah 😭 excuse me while I sulk in the corner!! #UFC169 — 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) February 2, 2014

No matter what, I'm pretty sure Faber will always be at the top of the division. — russell doane (@RussellDoane135) February 2, 2014

Weak stoppage, glad Barao won but not like that. — War Machine (@WarMachine170) February 2, 2014

This what I am taking about MMA and NHB in MMA you get referee who could not make it in the ring calls a fight on a soon to be hall of famer — KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) February 2, 2014

If you have fought at a high level how does a referee know when you are hurt some people can handle mor than other people this is wrrong — KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) February 2, 2014

NHB at least we got to end it not some failed fighter turned Referee I hate pointing out stuff on one person but this has to stop — KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) February 2, 2014

Not to say Faber would win but let the fighters make that call not some ref who think he is trying to protect a world class fighter please — KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) February 2, 2014

Being a ref is always a tough spot. I would never want to be a ref. Way too much pressure. #UFC169 — Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) February 2, 2014

Ah weak stoppage. Urijah still looked ok. Holding the leg and defending. Didn't see Herb warn him or anything — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 2, 2014

I thought refs were supposed to let guys actually FIGHT in the main event of a HUGE ppv. That was a bad stoppage, period. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 2, 2014

Early stoppage, but it would not have changed the final result IMO... #UFC169 — Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) February 2, 2014

Love Herb Dean.,,but If this is the highest level if professional fighting that fight should went longer...Faber didn't flatten out — Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) February 2, 2014

Aldo and Barao as training partners is like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen !!! #UFC169 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 2, 2014

Herb gave no verbal move signals or warnings...I think Barro still prolly wins but that was poor at the highest level of combat sports — Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) February 2, 2014

Did Joe Rogan just say "I'm retarded"? — Colton Smith (@ColtonSmithMMA) February 2, 2014

Gracious in defeat is Faber. Great respect to him. #UFC169 — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) February 2, 2014

Faber stepped up on short notice and got screwed. Herb is a great ref, one of the best, but that was a TERRIBLE stoppage. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 2, 2014

I wish Herb Dean ref'd my last fight. — Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) February 2, 2014

Have to respect @UrijahFaber not losing his shit after the fight. Dude is a class act. — Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) February 2, 2014

If that was a spar, I would have let that flow. Herb is the MAN. But we all make mistakes. Arms fade. And them arms were fading. UFC 169 — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 2, 2014

That was A TERRIBLE stoppage! Its a fight your gonna get hit. @UrijahFaber couldnt of been more aware and was defending himself. — Bryan Caraway (@BryanCaraway) February 2, 2014

Wow I would make a scene if I was @UrijahFaber but he's to classy for that. — Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) February 2, 2014

Man that's rough my dude had more to go. Woulda been a great fight — Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) February 2, 2014

My heart is hurting right now. — Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) February 2, 2014

Herb Dean is as good a referee as there is. If you disagree after the stoppage always know that Herb acted in the best interest of safety — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 2, 2014

Referees have the second hardest job in MMA after the fighters. I have the easiest and i fuck up all the time. We're all flawed humans. — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 2, 2014

I appreciate that people are pissed because you're passionate and love the sport. I'm just giving my thoughts. We were all disappointed — Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 2, 2014

Whelp! Back to the drawing board. Thanks for all the support folks. Congrats to @RenanBaraoUFC — Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) February 2, 2014

THE BRAZILIAN SWEEP

I love how all haircuts in the @ufc are beginning to look like a mullet and a mohawk had a very ugly demon baby. #UFC169 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 2, 2014

Oh shiiit the leg kicks are out — Robert Whiteford UFC (@Flyinjudoka) February 2, 2014

Lamas front leg just took out assault charges on Aldo's back leg ! #UFC169 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 2, 2014

Aldo is painting a Mona Lisa with his kicks and combos... #UFC169 #UFC @ufc — Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) February 2, 2014

Omg Jose Aldo is da trufff #UFC169 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) February 2, 2014

That leg is going to be sore! Aldo is such a technician. — Cung Le (@CungLe185) February 2, 2014

I'm having sympathy pains for Lamas right now. I'm going to start icing my leg in 10 minutes. #UFC169 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 2, 2014

Also has the best leg kicks in @ufc — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 2, 2014

If you watch this fight, w/ no sound & no bottom 50% of your screen, you can make the argument that Lamas is winning this fight. #UFC169 — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) February 2, 2014

Some one please cut the rest of lamas hair — Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) February 2, 2014

Not very exciting but congrats to Jose on the win I know it only round 4 @ufc @lunarpages @fearthefighter http://t.co/liwYqMt7T0 — Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) February 2, 2014

I didn't know u can't put your toes in the cage ??? #UFC169 — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) February 2, 2014

Strong GNP to finish rd 5 for lamas 10-9 but that leaves him down 49-46 (maybe 48-47 depending rd 1) and Aldo retains the title #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

If you know someone is known for gassing when pressured why not pressure for. The start of the fight instead of waiting until the last 2 rds — Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) February 2, 2014

49-46 Joseph Aldo. 50-40 McGregor. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 2, 2014

Love watching Aldo fight!!! Stone cold!!! #UFC169 — Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) February 2, 2014

@RicardoLamasMMA great job bro u did amazing! Keep ur head up champ! — Matt Grice (@mattgricemma) February 2, 2014

Aldo is pretty amazing... #UFC169 — Zachary Makovsky (@ZachFunSize) February 2, 2014

Lamas didn't do one single mistake, Aldo did more and landed harder shots... #UFC169 #UFC — Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) February 2, 2014

I promise you, I am too dynamic. Too diverse. Too clever. All respect to Ricardo, he fought for the CHANCE. I fight because it is EASY. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 2, 2014

😀😀😀 — Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 2, 2014

OVEREEM BLOWS OUT MIR

I would not suggest pulling guard against a 255lbs punching power house. #UFC169 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 2, 2014

Alistar is just toying with him now — Don Frye (@DonFryeFighter) February 2, 2014

Frank Mir is the slowest faller down in all of MMA. I’ve never seen somebody fall down so slow consistently #UFC169 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) February 2, 2014

Overeem looked great. Hope he passes the drug test. Reem vs @smiocic would be good but Stipe wins #ufc — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 2, 2014

Smart fight by overeem. Great win. #UFC169 — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) February 2, 2014

Overeem looked great tonight. Had restraint but also let loose and dominated all rounds #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

Mir's cornerman: "You're doing everything right." Except for almost getting finished in the first round I guess — Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) February 2, 2014

I think "economical" is the word of the fight… And maybe night. #UFC169 — Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) February 2, 2014

Just remember mir is the one in the ring and in his career achieved the ultimate have some respect for a great champion congrats to Alister — KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) February 2, 2014

Mitch move Reem calls out Brock because wants a easy $$ ppv pay day...if he wanted to fight toward the belt he calls out my dude @smiocic — Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) February 2, 2014

Why does Reem call out Brock? We have already seen it. Call someone out on a win. — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 2, 2014

Proof that hard work pays off! :-) Many thanks to the people supporting me, the team, my fans & ofcourse the @UFC pic.twitter.com/aakZ6Lftwr — Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 2, 2014

BAGAUTINOV STAKES HIS CLAIM

Hard to root for a guy who never makes weight. — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 2, 2014

Bagautinov posing for the last 15sec while Lineker holds onto his leg = pure gold 10-9 rd 3 for Bag giving him a 29-28 decision #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

No respect for the leg lock up in this mug #UFC169 — Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) February 2, 2014

Ali is fighting like he is carrying a turd in his shorts — Don Frye (@DonFryeFighter) February 2, 2014

I had rds 1&3 for the Russian. The premature celebration was wack though. Not hating on premie celebrations but at least punch him. #UFC169 — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) February 2, 2014

TRUJILLO AND VARNER BURN THE HOUSE DOWN

So that round was pretty cool — Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) February 2, 2014

Trujillo and Varner are throwing BOMBS!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) February 2, 2014

I love rd 1. Crazy wild, yet somewhat controlled, throwing and Varner coming close to a choke. 10-9 Varner #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

HOLY SHIT!!!!! BOMBS — Dana White (@danawhite) February 2, 2014

Holy fucking fuck — Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) February 2, 2014

Wow varner vs tujillo throwing down!! — Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) February 2, 2014

I wish this fight was more exciting!!! — Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) February 2, 2014

Said no one ever — Ike Vallie-Flagg (@IKEVF) February 2, 2014

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) February 2, 2014

Oh my fucking gaaaaaawwwd. #UFC169 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) February 2, 2014

Holyyyyyu Shittttttt!!!! Ahhhhhhhahhahaha My Ninja @AbelTrujillo1 — Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) February 2, 2014

Wow… From the clutches of defeat! #UFC169 — Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) February 2, 2014

Sick fight to start the PPV. — MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) February 2, 2014

Just straight craziness!! — russell doane (@RussellDoane135) February 2, 2014

Wowwwwwwwwwww congrats @AbelTrujillo1 you is a monster my friend..... — Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) February 2, 2014

HOLY SHIT!!! Craziest round. Varner and Trujillo swinging wild until Trujillo connects with a right for the ko #ufc169 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 2, 2014

Damn now that's a war!! Double bonus for sure!!!! — Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) February 2, 2014

FIGHT AND KO OF NIGHT RIGHT THERE!!! WELL DONE @AbelTrujillo1! — Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) February 2, 2014

Holy shit what a fight. That was impressive. — Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) February 2, 2014

That’s what 100k looks like. #UFC169 — Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) February 2, 2014

Hey guys not the outcome I wanted but I'd rather go down Looking 4 the finish than just grind out a boring dec! Thanks 4 the love & support — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) February 2, 2014