Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao has a new home.
MMA Fighting has confirmed that the former UFC star has signed a three-fight deal with Taura MMA and will be competing in the featherweight division. Barao is expected to make his debut for the promotion in November or December, though there’s no word on who his potential opponent could be.
Barao has been fighting since 2005 and also competed in Shooto Brazil and World Extreme Cagefighting. The Brazilian made a smooth transition over to the UFC in 2011 by beating Cole Escovedo at UFC 130. He ended up winning the UFC Bantamweight title two years later by dropping Eddie Wineland. Barao successfully defended the belt against Urijah Faber at UFC 169; however, T.J. Dillashaw would win the prestigious title at UFC 173.
Since then, the 33-year-old struggled throughout his UFC tenure and managed to amass a five-fight losing streak before he was released from the promotion in late 2019. His final match-up was against Douglas Silva de Andrade at UFC Fight Night 164. Barao hasn’t fought elsewhere since. The veteran enters the company with a record of 34 wins and 9 losses.