UFC fighter Raoni Barcelos was stretchered out of the octagon after a violent fifth-round TKO loss to Raul Rosas Jr. during Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas.
The 39-year-old Brazilian fighter was knocked unconscious during the bantamweight contest. Referee Herb Dean then immediately stopped the fight. Medical staff rushed into the octagon before Barcelos was carefully removed on a stretcher.
Early updates indicated that Barcelos was conscious after the incident. UFC reporter Ariel Helwani reported that the fighter was able to speak and move his fingers and toes while undergoing medical evaluation at a local Las Vegas hospital.
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How did Raoni Barcelos get injured?
The incident happened during the final round of Barcelos’ fight against rising UFC star Raul Rosas Jr.
Rosas Jr. secured a takedown before Barcelos suddenly went limp. Ringside observers raised concerns after the veteran fighter appeared unresponsive following the sequence.
{{/usCountry}}Rosas Jr. secured a takedown before Barcelos suddenly went limp. Ringside observers raised concerns after the veteran fighter appeared unresponsive following the sequence.
{{/usCountry}}Medical professionals immediately entered the cage, and the referee stopped the bout without hesitation.
A video shared by sports medicine physician Dr Jesse Morse on X showed Barcelos lying limp on the stretcher as he is wheeled off the octagon. “Not super clear exactly what happened,” Morse wrote while discussing the incident.
Morse also raised concern about either a neck injury or a head injury. “Unclear exactly what may have caused it, but you can see Barcelos gets taken down and goes limp after potentially hitting his head on the mat (?).” He further added, “Definitely have to be concerned about a possible neck injury.”
Latest update on Raoni Barcelos
Sportsnet reported that Barcelos later underwent a CT scan and was awaiting the results. Helwani later added that Barcelos remained able to speak and move his body after leaving the scan.
In an X post Helwani updated, “He’s out of the CT Scan, I’m told. No results yet but he’s able to speak and is able to move his body.”
The UFC has not announced a detailed medical diagnosis or confirmed the extent of Barcelos’ injuries.
Before the loss, Barcelos was ranked No. 13 in the UFC bantamweight division. The Brazilian entered the fight with a 22-6 professional record and had built a reputation as one of the division’s experienced competitors.