Former UFC champion Renan Barao’s first fight since 2019 now set for June

After multiple reports and bookings that ended up falling through over the last few years, it seems that former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao…

By: Lucas Rezende | 1 year ago
Former UFC champion Renan Barao’s first fight since 2019 now set for June
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

After multiple reports and bookings that ended up falling through over the last few years, it seems that former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao has an actual date to return, again.

According to French promotion ARES Fighting Championship’s official Instagram page, the Brazilian has been picked up to take on William Gomis in a feathwerweight bout at AFC 7, on June 25, in Paris, France.

If the fight comes to fruition, it will mark the first time Barao steps into a cage since November 2019, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Douglas Andrade, back at UFC Fight Night 164.

In fact, should Barao score a win against Gomis, it will be his first one in almost six years. The 35-year-old’s most recent victory happened in September 2016, when he bested Phillipe Nover by unanimous decision. Since then, the Brazilian has dropped five straight fights, with losses to Aljamain Sterling, Brian Kelleher, Andre Ewell and the aformentioned Andrade.

On the other side, 24-year-old Gomis (9-2) will look for his eighth straight win. So far, the Frenchman has amassed a record of five knockout wins, one submission and one decision. His most recent defeat happened in November 2016, when he got submitted by Morgan Charriere.

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Lucas Rezende
Lucas Rezende

Lucas Rezende is a Brazilian journalist and writer from Belem, Para. He has been covering MMA since 2012 and contributing with Bloody Elbow since March 2015. When not writing, Lucas also teaches English. In his free time, he enjoys reading, slapping the bass guitar and traveling.

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