After beating Barão, D'Silva says he regrets the Brazilian's bad form: 'I would rather have faced another opponent'

D. Silva after UFC Sao Paulo. Photo: VH Gonzaga

The Brazilian Douglas D'Silva had a complicated commitment in UFC Sao Paulo, held last Saturday (16). In addition to facing a compatriot, the man from Pará had the mission of beating one of his references in MMA and contributing to increasing the crisis in his career. Renan Barao, former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg.). With victory in the unanimous decision of the judges, Douglas was responsible for the fifth consecutive defeat of the native of Rio Grande do Norte, who has not won since 2016. In an interview after the show, with the presence of SUPER FIGHTS, D'Silva lamented the situation experienced by the athlete and stated the respect he has for Renan.

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“He (Barão) is a guy I have always admired a lot. Among others, he was a guy who encouraged me to train. Being able to fight with him is beyond words”, said the man from Pará.

Douglas, however, with a sad expression, lamented the situation experienced by Renan, who, in his last 10 fights, managed only two victories. The athlete hasn't won in over three years.

“We are thoughtful. I didn't even dream of fighting with him and I already saw him in that mood and thought: 'he's a warrior. He will get up.' It didn't take long for them to get married. We have to have professionalism. I confess that I preferred someone else. A foreigner. Nothing Brazilian. He is someone I admire a lot,” Douglas said.

Asked about the reasons that could have resulted in Renan's bad phase in his career, D'Silva preferred not to venture a guess, just wishing his professional partner luck.

“I really can't talk, because I don't know. It depends on each person. I just hope he gets up. I really want him to rise up”, said the man from Pará.

Renan Barao was the owner of the rooster belt, which today belongs to Henry Cejudo, for more than two years. The athlete reigned in the division between 2012 and 2014, until his hegemony ended when he faced TJ Dilashaw at UFC 173. During the period in which he was number one in the category, Barão was considered by Dana White, president of the company , as the best pound-for-pound in the organization.

The potiguar's decline began in 2017, when he lost the match to brian kelleher, suffering the second consecutive setback, something unprecedented in his career until then. After this negative result, Renan was no longer able to win in Ultimate.

Barão even tried to change things up by venturing into the featherweight division (up to 65,7kg), but he was also unsuccessful. The fighter returned to bantamweight, but, after two failures in the weight cut in a row, he returned to featherweight for this weekend's fight.

Even though he was a former champion, enjoying prestige with the organization, Barão's situation ended up getting complicated after the UFC Sao Paulo. The UFC follows a policy of releasing athletes who have not won for a considerable period of time. The Brazilian, therefore, is in a delicate situation within the company.

Winner at the weekend, Douglas, despite the bad feeling of 'harming' Barão, celebrates his return to winning ways. The Paraense came from behind to Petr yan, in December last year, and now awaits the next appointment in the search for the second successive triumph.