Renan Barao Challenges T.J. Dillashaw To Fight Him In Brazil

It’s been a tumultuous 2014 for former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao.

After stopping Urijah Faber in the main event of February 1’s UFC 169, there were whispers that “The Baron” had become the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter.

But then came his UFC 173 main event against upstart challenger T.J. Dillashaw, a fight where Barao was rocked early and finished late in what may be the biggest upset in UFC history.

Barao earned an immediate rematch against Dillashaw at UFC 177 in late August, but squandered the opportunity when he passed out in the bathtub cutting weight, knocking him out and putting his title shot on hold.

Barao signed to get back on track against the lesser-known Mitch Gagnon in the co-main event of December 20’s UFC Fight Night 58 from Barueri, Brazil, but it’s clear that his focus remains on one man. Barao said that the champion would have a different perspective if they were to fight in Brazil, telling MMA Fighting that it would be a completely different experience:

“I think he would crap his pants. Fighting in the United States is easy. I want to see him fighting me in Brazil. It’s completely different.”

Not normally known for talking trash, his feud with Dillashaw has apparently gotten under Barao’s skin. He opened up on the Team Alpha Male member, whom he believes has run his mouth too much. Barao vowed to show him who the true champion is if and when they meet up again:

“Dillashaw is talking too much crap. If we fight again, you can be sure it will be completely different. When we fight again, he will see the real champion. I don’t like to make jokes, talk trash. I like to show my work inside the cage, show the best Renan Barao possible. (Dillashaw) can enjoy that belt for now, because it’s coming back to Brazil soon.”

Unfortunately for him, the belt won’t be coming back to Brazil all that soon as Dillashaw is headed for a blockbuster clash with former champion Dominick Cruz in February or March. Despite his desire to fight “The Viper” for the belt, Barao does not believe that he’ll be able to defeat Cruz:

“I don’t think (Dillashaw) gets past (Cruz). I believe Dominick wins. He has more weapons, and I think he wins.”

Regardless of whether Dillashaw beats Cruz or not, Barao said he would rather exact his revenge on Dillashaw first before facing Cruz for the title:

“I’d rather fight Dillashaw first. It would be a big fight. Fighting Dominick later would be great. I just want to fight the best and bring the title back to Brazil.”

With Dillashaw and Cruz at the top of their games, Barao has hit work cut out for him in 2015. Can he regain the elite form that saw him blaze through the bantamweight division in 2013, or have Cruz and Dillashaw surpassed him?

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