Ultimate Fighting Championship events, but Raoni’s Barcelos‘ collapse at
UFC Vegas 121 left him particularly stunned.
Felder was on commentary at Meta Apex in Las Vegas during the last Fight Night. The main event, which was a back-and-forth battle, ended in horror as Barcelos appeared to limp in a grappling exchange against the octagon wall in the final round. The referee immediately stopped the contest and Barcelos was removed from the Octagon on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.
Barcelos was later confirmed conscious and responsive. For Felder, the moments after the finish will be unforgettable.
Paul Felder Revisits Raoni Barcelos Collapse at UFC Vegas 121: ‘I Thought He Had a Heart Attack’
Speaking on the Believe You Me podcast, Felder recalled his immediate reaction when he watched the medical team attend to Barcelos. The former fighter was alarmed when he saw the doctor checking Barcelos’ pulse, which he said he had never seen under similar circumstances.
“His neck was completely compressed and he was unconscious,” Felder said. “And it looked like he was — I thought he was having a heart attack. Then they came in and checked his pulse, which was scary to see. I’ve never seen anybody that was knocked out where they came in and the first thing the doctor did was put his fingers on Raon’s pulse. I was like, ‘Oh, this is really bad.’
Felder said the uncertainty continued as Barcelos remained unmoved.
“He just wouldn’t get up and then I’m like, ‘Is this a stroke?’ Is it a heart attack? “” added Felder. “But if they didn’t do CPR and his pulse was at least there and there and he’s breathing, it’s probably not a heart attack.”
Barcelos is said to still be under the care of a doctor, but has reached out to fans on social media to confirm that he is doing well.
