The Ultimate Fighting Championship has found a new opponent for Renan Barão (25-1, 1NC) for UFC 130, just a day after his original opponent Demetrious Johnson was tagged as a replacement for Brad Pickett at the same event.
Now Barão has verbally agreed to meet former WEC veteran Cole “Apache Kid” Escovedo (17-6) at the upcoming May 28, UFC 130: Edgar vs. Maynard III event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Both fighters will make their UFC debuts at the event.
Barão is undefeated in twenty-six bouts, with his only loss coming in his first pro fight back in 2005. The Brazilian is on a fifteen fight win streak, having made two appearances with the WEC. His last fight was last December at WEC 53, he earned a first round submission over Chris Cariaso at the event. Barão debuted with the promotion at WEC 49, earning another submission over Anthony Leone.
Escovedo was the first ever fighter to win the WEC featherweight title back in October of 2002. Since then, he’s fought for several different promotions across the U.S. and in Japan. His last fight was a win in January at a local Utah event, earning a first round submission win. The victory allowed Escovedo to bounce back from two straight loses, coming against Michihiro Omigawa at DREAM.16 and to Michael McDonald at Tachi Palace Fight 5.