Barao Is Back, Signs With Taura MMA

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight champion, Renan Pegado, best known to mixed martial arts (MMA) fans as “Barao” (The Baron) — because nobody wants to type out Renan do Nascimento Mota Pegado — is back on the combat sports circuit.

That’s according to MMA Fighting.

The Brazilian recently put pen to paper for Taura MMA, which made news last week for signing fellow UFC exports Antonio Silva and Rousimar Palhares. A date and venue for Pegado’s debut have yet to be determined.

“Bigfoot” and “Toquinho,” however, are scheduled to compete on Oct. 30 in Florida.

Pegado (34-9, 1 NC) was released by UFC back in December after losing five straight and seven of his last eight. The 33 year-old Brazilian was once ranked No. 1 in the world at 135 pounds and No. 3 pound-for-pound.

Then again, I once had a full head of hair.

No word yet on a possible opponent but when you consider how poorly Pegado has performed in recent years, it stands to reason the promotion will lob him a softball. I’m sure we’ll find out sooner, rather than later.