Report: UFC releases former champion Barao

Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao was released by UFC on Friday, Combate's Marcelo Barone and Gleidson Vengae report.

Barao's release comes amid a five-fight losing streak. He most recently lost to Douglas Silva de Andrade on Nov. 16 in Sao Paulo.

The 32-year-old held a 33-fight unbeaten run between 2005 and 2014 - one of the most impressive in MMA history. However, the Brazilian has lost eight of his last 10 bouts.

Barao, whose last victory came in 2016, owns a career record of 34-9 with one no-contest.