RIO DE JANEIRO -- T.J. Dillashaw ended Renan Barao’s reign as UFC bantamweight champion with a fifth-round TKO in May, and the Brazilian hasn’t forgotten that loss.

Barao makes his return to the Octagon against Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night 58 in Barueri, Brazil, on Dec. 20, and he’s excited to fight in Brazil for the first since signing with Zuffa.

"Fighting in Brazil for the first time is amazing," Barao said. "I’m well trained, doing an excellent camp. Every fight is important. Just to have the opportunity to go in there and show my work is amazing. I’m really happy with the opportunity to fight here."

Barao didn’t have the chance to compete in front of his countrymen as a UFC champion, and he would love the opportunity to rematch Dillashaw in Brazil one day.

"I think he would crap his pants," Barao said. "Fighting in the United States is easy. I want to see him fighting me in Brazil. It’s completely different.

"Dillashaw is talking too much crap. If we fight again, you can be sure it will be completely different," he continued. "When we fight again, he will see the real champion. I don’t like to make jokes, talk trash. I like to show my work inside the cage, show the best Renan Barao possible. (Dillashaw) can enjoy that belt for now, because it’s coming back to Brazil soon."

Dillashaw is expected to defend the UFC bantamweight title against former champion Dominick Cruz in early 2015, and Barao would pass on fighting for the championship for an opportunity to rematch Dillashaw, in case Cruz regains the gold next year.

"I’d rather fight Dillashaw first," Barao said. "It would be a big fight. Fighting Dominick later would be great. I just want to fight the best and bring the title back to Brazil.

"My goal is to fight for the title again. If (Dillashaw) has the title, I hope I can fight him as soon as possible. That’s my goal."

Dillashaw, the TUF 14 runner-up, is 7-2 under the UFC banner. Unbeaten since 2007, Cruz enters the bout coming off a devastating 61-second knockout win over Takeya Mizugaki.

"I don’t think (Dillashaw) gets past (Cruz)," Barao said. "I believe Dominick wins. He has more weapons, and I think he wins."