Barão beside Governor Rosalba Ciarlini / Publicity photo
The first-ever UFC champion from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte, Renan “Barão” was received by the governor, Rosalba Ciarlini, for an official state-government tribute for having won the interim bantamweight belt of the biggest MMA event in the world. At the ceremony, and alongside his master Jair Lourenço of team Kimura Nova União, Barão was awarded a special plaque by the governor. “I’m so happy about it. It’s recognition for all the work I put in,” said the fighter.
Furthermore, the state secretary of sports and leisure, Joacy Bastos, pronounced that the sport deserves to be given priority, and guaranteed that Rosalba knows what “the sport represents within the context of society, and that is why investing in it has been given greater priority.”
“It’s really important to hear such words from the governor and secretary, and I hope that translates into greater investment in the sport. After all, our state has lots of fighters with lots of potential who just need a little incentive to make it to where I have. If they’re given it, Rio Grande do Norte will have other names in the biggest MMA event in the world,” stated Barão, who alongside Ronny Markes, Gleison Tibau and Jussier Formiga are the only natives of the state currently on the UFC roster.
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