By Shawn Smith

After a short stint in the featherweight division, former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao has announced a return to 135 pounds to continue to his career.

The news was announced by Combate.com, a Brazil-based combat sports website.

After losing his rematch for the bantamweight title against T.J Dillashaw in July of 2015, Barao decided it was time to move up to the featherweight division. Nova Uniao coach Jair Lourenco attributed Barao’s difficulties in cutting to bantamweight to hypertension, as well as physical and emotional exhaustion.

At featherweight, Barao went 1-1, losing a unanimous decision to Jeremy Stephens before bouncing back with a victory over Phillipe Nover. Barao hasn’t been since in the cage since September of 2016.

According to Combate.com, Barao has been training lighter as of late and is aiming for an easier weight cut to 135 pounds moving forward.

Of course, it probably doesn’t help that stablemate Jose Aldo currently holds the UFC featherweight title and the two have shown little interest in competing.
Barao currently does not have a fight scheduled.