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Barao says he could move up to 145 if Aldo moves up as well

1K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  dvonfunk 
#1 ·
If UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo does indeed make a move to lightweight, current interim bantamweight champ and teammate Renan Barao could also move up a division.

"I feel very good in this weight division, but I feel in two or three years, if Aldo decides to move up a weight division, I might do that, too," Barao recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The 5-foot-7 Barao (29-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), best known for his incredible 29-fight win streak, actually debuted for the WEC in June 2010 in a 142-pound catchweight bout. That mark was requested by his opponent, Anthony Leone, who took the fight on short notice. Barao's five fights since have all been at 135 pounds.

But before his time under the Zuffa banner, Barao competed at 145 pounds, and he admits he wouldn't mind doing it again someday in the future.

"I used to fight at 66 kilos (145 pounds), but when we closed the deal with the WEC, our trainer decided that I needed to fight at bantamweight because I would never be champion since Aldo had been there forever," Barao said. "He wanted another champion on the team."

That decision worked out for the best; Aldo has been a Zuffa champion since 2009. Meanwhile, Barao claimed the UFC's interim bantamweight title with a decision win over Urijah Faber in July. On Feb. 16 he puts the belt on the line against challenger Michael McDonald (19-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the headliner of UFC on FUEL TV 7 in London.

Of course, a potential move to 145 pounds is completely dependent on Aldo someday making a long-discussed moved to lightweight. The two Nova Uniao fighters are primary training partners and have no desire to ever meet in the cage.

Still, just as Aldo is tiring of cutting to 145 pounds, Barao also says 10 pounds fewer to cut would be a welcome change.

"Actually, I'm naturally the same weight as Aldo, but I cut more to make weight," Barao said. "I think I would suffer a lot less. I sacrifice a lot by cutting. I'd be able to eat a little better and relax a little more.

"I think the weight cut is what makes me most nervous going into a fight. I get very neurotic. I would be much more relaxed."
http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/...p-in-weight-teammate-renan-barao-could-follow
 
#2 ·
I really don't know what's stopping Aldo from moving to 155 already. This has been in talks since he's come to the UFC, he's defended his title 4 times since then, his latest against Frankie Edgar, who one could argue lost a coin toss decision against Benson for the belt. Now he's fighting Pettis, the one guy who was going to challenge for the LW title. So now he'd have beaten Kenflo, Frankie and Pettis...pretty much earns himself a shot at the LW title if he wants it. If anyone has the chance to hold two titles in two dif weight classes it's Aldo at this moment. I also think his cardio would be much better at LW, so we wouldn't see the same Aldo who fought Edgar, but a much more energenic and durable Aldo.
 
#10 ·
His cardio isn't crap but it isn't great either. He slowed noticeably after the second round- right around the same time he stopped smiling.

Win, lose, or draw against Pettis, I think the time is right for Aldo to make the jump. I really believe 155 is the best weight class for him. There's not much left for him to prove at 45 and the list of viable, interesting fights is dwindling fast. If Frankie Edgar was too fast for virtually everyone at 155, can you imagine Aldo at that weight?! Couple that with a theoretically improved gas tank and he's real scary for anyone in that weight class.
It's just frustrating watching Aldo fight. He comes out the first 2 rounds like a killer. He pushes the pace, his striking is crisp, fast and accurate. Every round after that he starts fading and fading fast.
 
#11 ·
It's just frustrating watching Aldo fight. He comes out the first 2 rounds like a killer. He pushes the pace, his striking is crisp, fast and accurate. Every round after that he starts fading and fading fast.
That's what I'm saying. I think the longer he stays at 145, the longer we'll have to wait to see his full potential. I really don't think he'll be undersized for 155. Even if he is slightly so against the bigger 155ers, his improved gas tank (in theory), and unparalleled speed and athleticism should more than make up for it. Plus, he might even hit harder at 155 without the massive cut. Or at the very least, hit harder for longer.
 
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