Raoni Barcelos was hospitalized overnight after losing consciousness in the final round of his UFC Vegas 121 loss to Raul Rosas Jr.
The 39-year-old went down in the fifth round under a takedown of Rosa 1:38 and did not get up. Medical staff followed him inside the cage at Meta APEX in Las Vegas before he was carried off on a stretcher.
Rosas immediately signaled to the referee to stop the fight.
The UFC said in a statement: “Following his fight tonight, Raoni Barcelos was immediately transported to a Level 1 trauma center for evaluation.
“The hospital’s medical team has carried out a CT scan and comprehensive assessment and he is currently under monitoring.
“Barcelos is stable, alert and responsive, with full movement. He will remain under medical supervision.”
Barcelos has been on the UFC roster since 2018 and went on a five-fight winning streak, capturing the title for the first time.
The Brazilian had been ahead on every card with a round remaining, but Rosas Jr won after knocking him down from what appeared to be a fairly harmless takedown.
The 21-year-old has now won six fights in a row, after a meeting in which both men landed more than 300 punches each before the stoppage, as the bout received the Fight of the Night bonus.
Rosas Jr muted his celebrations when he learned of Barcelos’ condition and said after the fight: “I want everyone tonight to please pray for Raoni Barcelos. He’s a fighter.”
