Andre Pederneiras discusses Renan Barao’s future

After losing to T.J. Dillashaw twice, there was much speculation as to whether or not former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao would stay at bantamweight or move up to featherweight.

Many expected Barao to move up in weight given his weight-cutting issues, most notably the time he collapsed before weighing in at UFC 177. To add to the speculation, it was even announced that Barao would be moving up in weight after the catastrophe.

Now, Nova Uniao head coach Andre Pederneiras says there is a chance Barao stays at bantamweight.

He spoke to media members:

“Barao moving up or not depends on some factors that I can’t say right now. Is there a possibility? Yes. But there’s also a possibility of him staying. We’re studying several things that are happening, and we’ll wait to see.”

With the recent IV ban, which will no longer allow fighters to rehydrate with the UFC of IV fluids after weigh-ins, many fighters have discussed the possibility of going up in weight. According to Pederneiras, Barao is one of those fighters.

“That’s one factor that can force him to move up in weight. That’s one factor, and we’re studying that.”