LAS VEGAS -- Prior to May 2014, it would have been unfathomable to think that in the span of two years (and just three fights!), Renan Barao would be in need of a fresh start.
Yet here we are.
Barao (33-3), a former bantamweight champion who once tallied 32 consecutive wins and was trumpeted by UFC president Dana White as the best fighter on the planet, will look to essentially start over on Sunday when he moves up to featherweight to face Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night.
As harsh as it may sound to suggest that the 29-year-old Brazilian is starting anew, it is the uncomfortable reality. He did not establish himself as a star even as a champion and his fall was swift, thanks to two lopsided beatings at the hands of TJ Dillashaw in the last two years.
As Barao prepares for his UFC featherweight debut, he is still relevant for sure -- but precariously so.
"I'm not thinking about that," Barao told ESPN.com through a translator. "I just want to fight the best I can."
In Barao's mind, the world has never really seen him fight at his correct weight. He's more of a natural featherweight but agreed to drop to bantamweight for the good of Nova Uniao, his team in Rio de Janeiro. Barao's teammate Jose Aldo was the sport's top-ranked featherweight for years, until he was toppled by Conor McGregor late last year.
Of course, there's also the fact that Barao was doing just fine at bantamweight until the losses to Dillashaw.
But the cut to 135 was difficult, which was obvious after Barao was pulled from a title fight in 2014 when he fainted while trying to make weight. This week, Barao reported to Las Vegas weighing 160 pounds. That still leaves 14 pounds to cut, but Barao was noticeably more energetic during an ESPN interview on Tuesday.
"It's a similar amount of weight to cut, but I have more to lose," Barao said. "I was losing too much weight fighting at bantamweight. I couldn't perform the way I was supposed to. Those losses to Dillashaw, he was better than me on those nights. I can't say they were only because of the weight-loss process. But this is a better weight for me."
For now, Barao will receive the benefit of the doubt on the matter. Should he lose to the hard-hitting Stephens (24-12) on Sunday, however, the narrative on Barao's decline will become about more than simply his problems cutting weight (and, of course, Dillashaw specifically).
Barao says he and Aldo, who is scheduled to fight for the interim featherweight title on July 9, have not discussed what will happen if both eventually reach the top of the 145-pound heap. He dismissed any notion that it might lead to a falling-out. Nova Uniao is more family than team, Barao said, claiming it won't be an issue.
As far as what the future holds or what exactly is riding on his fight this weekend, Barao said neither is really on his mind. He is just enjoying not cutting weight.
"The only thing I feel right now is that I won't have a terrible weight cut," Barao said. "That's going to make me stronger. I don't see any disadvantage moving up to this weight. Everything is good."
