Renan Barao stopping Eddie Wineland (photo via UFC )

By FCF Staff

The difficulties of cutting weight may have cost Renan Barao his chance to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title for now, but the fighter’s coach says the former champ should remain at 135.

Barao was pulled from UFC 177, and a rematch with TJ Dillashaw, after he reportedly passed out and hit his head while cutting weight. Despite the incident, Barao’s renowned coach, Andre Pederneiras, says the Nova Uniao fighter doesn’t need to move up to featherweight.

While speaking to the Brazilian outlet Combate.com, Pederneiras stated (translated quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“When we get to Brazil, we will do more exams to evaluate everything and see how he is in every aspect. Then we will sit and talk. People say he should fight at featherweight. I know he’s big for 135, but we have the support of doctors and nutritionists, so I don’t see why changing divisions. What I see is that he needs more time between fights so he doesn’t have to do training camps for five-round fights one after another. His body really needs some rest.

It’s the first time that it happens with me in 18 years. I’ve been following athletes for a long time and I’ve never had any athlete fainting and being removed from a fight because of it.”

Prior to be stopped by Dillashaw in May, Barao had gone undefeated in 33 fights.

At UFC 177 on Saturday, Dillashaw retained the bantamweight belt by knocking out Soto in round five.