‘Stable, alert’: UFC fighter Raoni Barcelos hospitalized after TKO loss in main event
LAS VEGAS —
UFC fighter Raoni Barcelos was carried out on a stretcher near the end of his UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas, Nevada, Saturday after he appeared to lose consciousness.
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In reference to a statement from the UFC, ESPN said Barcelos was taken to a Level 1 trauma center, where he underwent a CT scan and was being monitored.
He was said to be “stable, alert, and responsive, and had full movement” at the hospital.
Barcelos’ coach, Davi Ramos, posted an update on social media late Saturday and said his fighter was doing well.
The 39-year-old appeared to have hit his head against the canvas or the cage during a match against 21-year-old Raul Rosas Jr.
ESPN said Rosas (13-1), trailing on all three scorecards entering the final round of the bantamweight bout, came out aggressively. During a clinch against the fence, he slammed Barcelos to the mat.
“It appeared that Barcelos’ head hit either the canvas or the cage. Referee Herb Dean quickly saw that Barcelos appeared to be unconscious and waved off the bout at 1 minute, 38 seconds of the round,” ESPN reported.
Barcelos (22-6) remained on the canvas until he was carried from the cage.
“I want everybody tonight to please pray for Raoni Barcelos,” a visibly shaken Rosas said to the crowd during his postfight interview in the cage. “Man, he’s a warrior. It takes two to tango.”
ESPN said Rosas was the youngest to ever sign with the UFC. He joined the promotion in 2022 at the age of 17.
At 39, Barcelos is 17 years older than Rosas, the widest age gap of any main event in UFC history, ESPN continued.
