Raul Rosas Jr. He emerged from UFC Vegas 121 with the biggest win of his career. We are still not quite sure what happened.
The 21-year-old rising star defeated Raoni Barcelos in his first career main event, getting a knockout in the fifth round. It is unclear how exactly he had to stop, as Barcelos, 39, was seen either laying down or losing consciousness behind him.
Barcelos had to be carried out of the Octagon in a casket, a sudden and terrible end to what he thought would be a Fight of the Year contender. He did not seem to move in the coffin.
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“I want everyone to please pray for Raoni Barcelo tonight. He is a warrior,” said Rosas in an interview after the fight.
The UFC later reported that both fighters were taken to the hospital for head and neck scans.
Crowned Ariel Helwani learned Barcelos regained consciousness and can speak and move his fingers and toes.
Barcelo’s coach, Davi Ramos, released a statement announcing the resounding Helwani.
The UFC issued the following statement late Saturday night:
According to tonight’s fight, Raoni Barcelos was immediately transported to the center for a level 1 trauma assessment.
He underwent a CT scan and a comprehensive evaluation at the hospital, and is now under surveillance. Barcelos is stable, alert and responsive, with full range of motion. He will remain under medical supervision. We will provide his condition as they become available.
The fight had been a total walk, with two very strong and throwing more than three hundred kills, and Barcelos (22-6) the collection of 22 putting down attempts. All of those aspects of the win were evident, as Barcelos dominated in the second and fourth rounds and led by multiple points on three scores heading into the fifth round. Barcelos also earned a score of 10-8 in the fourth round on one judge’s scorecard.
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Rosas (13-1) needed to run their winning streak to six wins. He got it, but we can only hope it didn’t come at a great expense to Barcelo.
Uncrowned will continue to update this story as information becomes available.
Check out the full UFC Vegas 121 results below.
The biggest card
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. Raoni Barcelos by TKO (referee stoppage) at 1:38 of R5
Women’s bantamweight: Ailin Perez def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Luis Hernandez def. Sedriques Dumas by submission (standing guillotine) at 0:57 of R1 | Watch the finish line
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Bantamweight: Ilimbek Akylbeck Uulu def. Mehemmedeli Osmanli by DQ (illegal knee) at 2:19 from R1 | Watch the finish line
Women’s streak: Tina Black def. Melissa Amaya by TKO (hit) at 3:19 of R2 | Watch the finish line
prelims
Bantamweight: Brady Hiestand def. Rinya Nakamura by submission at 4:07 of R2 | Watch the finish line
Med: Rodolphus Vieira def. Robert Bryzek via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Light heavyweight: Christian Edwards def. Rodolfo Bellato by TKO at 1:47 of R3 | Watch the finish line
Light: Dryads Brener def. Josiah Harrell by KO (punch) 4:14 of R1 | Watch the finish line
Bantamweight: Montel Jackson def. Ricky Simon via TKO (punches) at 2:39 of R2 | Watch the finish line
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Bantamweight: Alatengheili def. John Castaneda by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28);
Women’s row: Yazmin Jauregui def. Vanessa Demopoulos by TKO (punches) at 1:02 of R1 | Watch the finish line