Earlier tonight in the main event of UFC Vegas 121, Raoni Barcelos was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards heading into the final round. But suddenly the Brazilian collapsed in the fifth stanza after being taken down by Raul Rosas Jr. and lost via TKO.
After the unfortunate ending to the slugfest, commentators and fans could not figure out what really happened. The replay showed Barcelos’ head hitting the fence, but it was unclear whether that alone was enough to explain why he went unconscious. Barcelos was immediately placed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.
Sources previously reported that he had not regained consciousness, and doctors reportedly checked his pulse multiple times.
There’s good news now.
Raoni Barcelos Health Update
As updated by Ariel Helwani, Raoni Barcelos is now conscious and able to speak and move his fingers and toes. The 39-year-old is currently undergoing a CT scan. Helwani updated on X:
“Raoni Barcelos is conscious, I’m told. He’s able to speak and is able to move his fingers and toes. He’s currently getting a CT scan at a local Vegas hospital.”
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Reporter Patrick Danna posted on X:
“Just got full confirmation that Barcelos is awake and moving his body. He is staying at the hospital for a while for some head and heart examinations, but Barcelos IS AWAKE AND MOVING.”
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Ag. Fight also reported that Raoni Barcelos is conscious.
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Journalist Evelyn Rodrigues reported:
“Raoni was transported to the hospital. He is with the team; he is also with the UFC staff. He will undergo some tests related to the head, what we call a CT scan here, anyway, to try to check what happened.”
His coach Davi Ramos has also assured fans minutes earlier that Barcelos ‘is doing well and everything is okay.’
“Raoni is doing well, everything’s okay so everyone can relax. He just went to get a CT scan, but everything is fine. We’re here waiting for him and hoping everything goes well. Everyone can stay calm. Thanks.”
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It remains unclear what exactly happened to Barcelos. Did he lose consciousness after his head hit the fence? Did the UFC veteran suffer a cardiac arrest? Or did he collapse after 20+ minutes of intense action?
We at LowKick MMA wish warrior Raoni Barcelos a speedy recovery.
