Barão says he is already the only bantamweight champion: 'The UFC just needs to make it official'

R. Barão (photo) believes he already deserves the bantamweight belt. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Renan Barao showed why he received the nickname 'monster' from Dana White, president of Ultimate. In action at UFC 165, an event held last Saturday (21), in Toronto, the athlete from Rio Grande do Norte was not aware of Eddie Wineland and knocked out the North American impetuously in the second round. The great performances and Dominick Cruz, linear champion of the division, away since 2011, already make the Brazilian feel like the only champion of the category.

“I already feel like a champion, the UFC just needs to make it official. I don't say this disrespecting the Dominick Cruz, who is a great champion, but he has been out of action for a long time”, said Barão at the press conference after the event.

The Brazilian reached second place in the interim bantamweight belt by knocking out Eddie Wineland with a plastic kick in the second round. According to Barão, the attack is trained by the Nova União team and the order for action came from its technicians.

“I always train this kick in the gym. At the time, my coaches said: 'Throw the shot and it will go in'. I went there, threw a little jab and then managed to land the shot”, recalled Renan.