R. Barão (photo) sees Assunção as his next opponent. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
After his first defense of the bantamweight belt, with the victory over Urijah faber at UFC 169, Renan Barao He is already beginning to project his future as the definitive champion of the under-61,2 kg category. In an interview with the official Ultimate website, Barão predicted a duel against a compatriot in his next engagement in the Octagon.
“I must face the Raphael Assunção, who comes from a good winning streak (6 consecutive victories) and can now fight for the title. He is a very tough opponent, who likes to fight moving forward, just like me. It would be a fantastic match for fans to watch, with most of the fight on the feet. My dream is to fight in Brazil, it would be more incredible if it were in Natal. With the fans shouting my name, there would be no opponent in front of me”, said the Nova União athlete.
Barão also commented on a hypothetical duel against Dominick Cruz, former champion of the category and who ended up withdrawing from the fight against the Brazilian due to a series of injuries that took him out of action for the last two years. “This is the fight everyone is waiting for. We will definitely face each other and decide who is the best. If I have to fight him now, I accept it. But I can also have one more fight before facing him. It doesn’t make any difference”, he pondered.
At 27, Renan Barao He has a record of 32 victories, one fight without result and only one defeat – suffered in his first fight as a professional, in 2005. As a UFC athlete, Renan won seven consecutive victories. In July 2012, the Potiguar surpassed Urijah faber to become interim bantamweight champion. On February 1st, in his first defense of the division's straight belt, Barão beat Faber again, in the main fight of UFC 169.
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