Renan Barao commented at a UFC media day in Sao Paolo Wednesday on the recent statement of Jose Aldo, who said that his training partner will finish less fights the longer he holds the title. The UFC bantamweight champion agreed with his friend, knowing that the level of competition will only rise and he will be watched even more:

I think so because it's hard when you are the champion. All eyes are on you, the other athletes are studying your game. Sometimes you win a fight and people say it was easy but it has been difficult since ten years until now. Of course the plan is to finish fights but it won't always happen.

Barao will defend his belt against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 173 on May 23, in another fight involving members of Nova Uniao and Team Alpha Male. The Brazilian, though, doesn't see personal issues between the teams.

I think there is no rivalry. Team Alpha Male is one of the best camps in the world, their fighters are always getting title shots and that is why all these fights against us from Nova Uniao. But only we have two belts.

Barao also hopes to maintain his belt and fight one more time at 2014.

They called me to save this card and I'm up to fight one more time this year. Raphael Assunçao deserves this shot because he is coming off a good win streak and was asking to fight me before he got hurt.

The original UFC 173 main event was Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida but this fight was delayed to UFC 175, on July 5, because the UFC middleweight champion underwent minor surgeries on both of his knees.