The UFC Vegas 121 main event clash between Raoni Barcelos and Raul Rosas Jr. ended in scary fashion in the fifth round when the Brazilian bantamweight went unconscious for apparent no reason during a clinch exchange.
Barcelos was rushed to the hospital for exams after the bout, and his head coach Davi Ramos shared on social media he is now back to his senses.
The UFC released a statement hours after the incident to confirm Barcelos was transported to a Level 1 trauma center for evaluation and was "stable, alert and responsive, with full movement" after a "CT scan and comprehensive assessment" were conducted.
"Raoni Is Doing Well"
"Raoni is doing well," Ramos said in Portuguese on a video posted on social media. "He has all his senses, he's moving his leg, his arm, his hand, he's conscious, he's talking, everything is fine with him. He's undergoing some tests, and pretty soon he'll be here to talk to you guys."
"I just wanted to let you know so you can all stay calm," he continued. "Keep praying for him. He'll have to rest because of what happened, but God willing, everything will be fine."
A Heartbreaking Finish
Barcelos was up on all three scorecards going into the final round, including a 10-8 in round four for one of the judges, meaning he was a little over three minutes away from a decision victory. The loss snapped what would have been his sixth straight victory in the UFC.
"We had a great fight," Ramos said. "We practice a sport that we can't predict, unfortunately, but we know for sure that we were doing our best. Raoni is a warrior, a phenomenal fighter, and he showed you that with all the technique he has, all the skill and heart he has."
Doctor's Statement
Ramos also shared a statement from Barcelos' doctor, Dr. Gustavo Medeiros.
"I'm here with this message to bring some good news and reassurance to everyone who has been sending messages to Raoni's team and family. As everyone knows, Raoni suffered a sudden illness during the fight and was initially hospitalized as a precaution. At this moment, he is lucid and oriented. He is hospitalized strictly as a matter of protocol. He needs to remain under observation for a few days to assess his condition and make sure that everything remains stable."
