Ex-UFC champ feels stronger for Stephens bout

Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao hopes to get a fresh start when he makes his featherweight debut Sunday night after being knocked out twice in his last three fights.

His opponent on the Ultimate Fighting Championship card at Mandalay Bay believes the damage already has been done.

“Mentally, I feel he’s broken,” Jeremy Stephens said.

Barao lost the 135-pound belt and his 32-fight unbeaten streak when he was knocked out by T.J. Dillashaw in May 2014. He was granted an immediate rematch in August, but had to withdraw when he was hospitalized the day before the bout while trying to make weight.

After he returned with an impressive submission victory in December, Barao got a second chance at Dillashaw and was knocked out again in July.

That loss, combined with increasingly difficult weight cuts to 135, prompted Barao to move up to featherweight.

“I’m feeling really good,” the 29-year-old Brazilian said Friday through a translator. “I don’t have that wear that I had before. I’m not suffering like I used to. I’m ready for Sunday and I think it’s going to go very well for me.”

Until he ran into Dillashaw, the scale appeared to be Barao’s biggest opponent. He often looked drawn and miserable the last few days before a fight, but it didn’t show in the results.

Barao says he started this camp slightly over 165 pounds, just as he had for his fights at 135. The need to cut 10 fewer pounds has made a difference, however, and Barao insists it will show up in his performance.

“Without doubt, you’ll see me stronger and more explosive,” he said. “The weight cut really was hurting me. You will see a new Renan Barao.”

While Stephens has questions about Barao’s confidence after the knockouts, he doesn’t doubt the former champ’s skills or determination.

“I’ve been coming off two losses before and I came back hungry and motivated. That’s what I expect from him,” said Stephens, who has lost three of his last four fights to top contenders. “He’s a great fighter and he’s exciting. We’re going to put on a great show. I think highly of him and I’m prepared for a hungry Renan Barao. I picture him being healthier. Those big weight cuts hurt.”

Still, Stephens doesn’t believe Barao will be able to overcome the significance of the losses by moving up a division.

“Physically, I think he’ll be better up here at 145 pounds. Mentally, I just feel like he’s a broken Barao,” Stephens reiterated. “He’s got good Muay Thai standup and (jiu-jitsu). But he lacks in a lot of other areas. He lacks cardio, he lacks heart, he lacks the mentality and he lacks that jaw and I’m going to put it on his jaw.”

Barao expressed little concern about Stephens’ comments: “He who has a mouth can say whatever they want. Sunday we will find out who is broken. I don’t care what my opponent says. I focus on what I have to do.”

The bout is part of a UFC FIght Night 88 card headlined by a matchup of unbeaten bantamweight prospects as Thomas Almeida takes on Cody Garbrandt. The main card airs live on Fox Sports 1 at 6 p.m.

Four fights from the preliminary card, headlined by a women’s bantamweight contender bout between Sara McMann and Jessica Eye, also air on the network beginning at 4.

Two fights will stream exclusively through UFC Fight Pass at 3 p.m., including Las Vegan Bryan Caraway facing undefeated bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj