Without an opponent, Raphael Assunção challenges Renan Barão: ‘I want my chance’

R. Assunção (photo) comes from five consecutive victories. Photo: Lucas Carrano/SUPER FIGHTS

Currently ranked third in the bantamweight category, the Brazilian Raphael Assunção he would face the American Francisco Rivera 170 and, probably, he was one victory away from fighting for the division belt. However, this Monday (03), Rivera ended up being cut from the event and Raphael has been without an opponent since then. Given the situation, the Pernambuco native doesn't want another opponent, but rather a chance for the title against his compatriot Renan Barao.

“I want my chance against Barão. I'm the only undefeated bantamweight in the UFC who hasn't had a chance to fight for the belt yet. I'm third in the ranking. I'm going to ask the boss for this fight. Dominick Cruz, Urijah faber, Eddie Wineland and Michael McDonald have already faced him. And I can give him a different fight”, assured Assunção, in an interview with the “MMA Fighting” website. The Brazilian, however, got confused in the list of names, as the duel between Cruz and Barão, despite being announced for UFC 169, never happened.

According to Raphael, the announcement of a new opponent just three weeks before the event, which takes place on February 22nd, would be bad for his preparation. “Barão was not injured in the fight against Urijah faber, and I know I can be a different challenge for him. I injured my shoulder and underwent physical therapy for over a month, and I would have to completely change my preparation for a possible new fight at UFC 170. It would be excellent to start a new complete period of training now with the aim of challenging Barão for the title”, concluded.

At 31, Raphael Assunção has a record of 21 wins and four losses. The Ascension MMA athlete has won five consecutive victories, the last of which was over T. J. Dillashaw at UFC Barueri, in October 2013. UFC 170 takes place on February 22, at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas (USA). In the main fight of the night, the women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey face the challenger Sara McMann. In the co-main event of the night, the former heavyweight GP champion from the now defunct Strikeforce Daniel Cormier debut in light heavyweight against the former title holder of the division in Ultimate Rashad evans.

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