BIRMINGHAM, England – In the buildup to Saturday’s UFC 138 event, many MMA pundits have wondered aloud if a Brad Pickett victory could earn “One Punch” some consideration for a shot at current bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.
But as far as Pickett’s co-feature opponent, Renan Barao, is concerned, that should probably be a two-way street.
“I’m well-prepared, and I’ve been training my best,” Barao today told reporters through his interpreter. “I’m the best I’ve ever been. As every fighter in the UFC, the objective is to get to the top.”
Despite just one official UFC contest, Barao certainly can’t be too far out of the discussion. After all, the 24-year-old Brazilian also secured a pair of submission wins under the WEC banner before that promotion ceded its talent to the octagon.
Barao’s critics seem underwhelmed by a somewhat listless win over Cole Escovedo at this past May’s UFC 130 event, but the bantamweight insists he’s improved since then.
“I’ll be very different,” Barao said. “Since my last fight, I trained a lot of wrestling and put a lot of hard work in my Thai boxing and boxing. But I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for such a long time, and I think that’s going to be the difference in this fight.”
And there are additional challenges for Barao. Not only is he fighting in Europe for the first time, but he’s also competing in Pickett’s home nation. England’s cold, rainy weather stands in stark contrast to the Brazilian summer left behind, and it’s a little tough to find a good gaucho anywhere in the U.K.
Barao said he’s not concerned with any of the variables.
“I don’t think it’s going to be any problem,” Barao said. “I’ve been training so long for this fight. When the cage is locked up, it’s just going to be me and him there. Whoever is well-prepared is going to win this fight.”
And really, that is the ultimate challenge. Since losing his professional debut, Barao has rattled off an astonishing 26-straight wins (albeit with one no-contest result thrown in) against a variety of Brazilian regional-scene opponents. And while Escovedo, Chris Cariaso and Anthony Leone have all been fine opponents, Pickett will certainly prove his toughest foe to date.
“I have seen a few fights of Brad Pickett, and I really respect that he is very good at standup,” Barao said. “He also has takedowns, but I’m very prepared, and I’m really looking forward to the fight. I really trained hard.”
A win over Pickett might not be enough to thrust Barao into the UFC’s bantamweight title picture, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. And featured in the co-main event slot of a UFC event for the first time, Barao could certainly elevate his stock in the division.
To the victor go the spoils, and Barao is prepared to collect them all.
“I’m fighting to the top, and if the title opportunity comes anytime, I’m more than well-prepared for this chance,” Barao said.
Featuring a five-round middleweight headliner between slugger Chris Leben and fast-rising prospect Mark Munoz, “UFC 138: Leben vs. Munoz” event takes place at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. The main card of UFC 138 airs via tape-delay in the U.S. on Spike TV (but live in other countries). The evening’s preliminary card streams on Facebook.
