Barão (left) returns to the UFC this Saturday against Gagnon. Photo: Lucas Carrano/SUPER FIGHTS
Almost seven months after losing the UFC bantamweight belt, Renan Barao is fully focused on regaining the title. The Brazilian, who will have his first fight this Saturday (20) since being knocked out by TJ Dillashaw, believes that the fight against Mitch Gagnon, the co-main attraction of UFC Barueri, will be the first step towards a new title shot.
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Barão stated that he learned a lot from his setback in May and assured that he will make great progress in Barueri. “I learned a lot. If I focus more, start looking more at my techniques, always be improving… Saturday you will see a total difference between my game then and now”, said the fighter, in a press conference accompanied by SUPER FIGHTS.
Now monitored daily by a nutritionist, Barão assured that he will not face any problems with weight loss, as happened in August, when he had to abandon the rematch with Dillashaw due to feeling ill. "I am very well, thank God. That's over, it's a new page. Now let’s do another story.”
If he gets another chance to fight for the title, Barão has no preference between having a rematch with his tormentor or facing the next challenger for the belt, Dominick Cruz. However, he is betting on the former champion's victory over the current title holder. “I'll want to fight whoever has the belt, it doesn't matter if it's TJ or Dominick. My goal is the belt. I think it will be a great fight, they are two tough athletes like everyone has seen. I think Dominick [will have the advantage]. He has a lot more game than TJ”, he guessed.
Before thinking about the title, however, Barão faces Mitch Gagnon, 14th in the division. “I don’t care much about the ranking. He's not a very well-known guy, but he's a tough guy, who has a lot of submissions. I’m training for the best I’m going to face,” he concluded.
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