After UFC Fight Night 58 Win, Renan Barao Wants To Bring Belt Back To Brazil
After a hard seven months that saw him losing his title to TJ Dillashaw at UFC 173 last May, and having to pull out of their scheduled rematch at UFC 177 last August, former bantamweight champion Renan “The Baron” Barao finally returned to action last night (December 20, 2014) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 58 from Barueri, Brazil.
Barao took on a relatively unknown Canadian in No. 14-ranked Mitch Gagnon. Many thought it would be a squash match for “The Baron”, and although he indeed won by third round submission, it wasn’t as easy as most expected it to be.
Barao dropped Gagnon in the first round, but actually lost the second round on two judges’ scorecards. Although he was well on his way to a decision win, Barao was able to finish Gagnon in the final frame with an arm-triangle choke. Speaking at the post-fight press conference after the event, Barao said he was happy with his performance:
“I scored a knockdown in the first round; in the second round, I froze a little bit,” Barao said. “In the third round, I was able to submit him. I thought the fight flowed, and that was that.
He’s a very tough guy. He’s not a very well-known guy, but he’s got great submissions. He’s a tough guy. I knew it was going to be a great fight, and that’s what it was.”
After getting back to his winning ways, the former champion has one goal in mind, and that’s to avenge his devastating loss to Dillashaw and bring the bantamweight gold home to Brazil:
“I’m focused on my goals, and I’m going to bring this belt back to Brazil,” Barao said “You can be sure of that.”
However, the Brazilian may have to wait a while before he gets another crack at Dillashaw, as “The Viper” is said to be taking on another former champion next in Dominick Cruz. Cruz returned from over three years of injuries at September’s UFC 178 and absolutely destroyed Takeya Mizguaki to earn a shot at the title he never lost.
Dillashaw vs. Cruz has not even been scheduled yet, which may mean Barao might even have to take another fight before challenging for the belt. As for what’s next, Barao said it’s up to his coaches, but he said he’s ready and willing to fight:
“I’m going to rest a little bit right now, spend the rest of the year with my family,” Barao told MMAjunkie “I’m going to talk to my coaches and see what happens from now on, if we’re going to have an opportunity to fight or if we’re going to wait a little bit longer.”
“I’m here. I love to fight. I like competing in the octagon, so I’m open to fight. Whatever my coaches decide, that’s what’s going to happen.”
A bout against the surging No. 4-ranked Raphael Assuncao could make sense for Barao after his win in Brazil last night. Assuncao is currently riding a seven-fight win streak and even owns a win over Dillashaw.
A bout between Barao and Assuncao would be a true title eliminator bout, but there’s also a possible trilogy match with Urijah Faber on the table despite Barao’s to wins over the Team Alpha Male leader.
Who do you want “The Baron” to fight next?
