Raoni Barcelos
Brazil
Secures fourth straight win
Barcelos defeated Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
At age 38, Barcelos seems to have found a second wind. He looks more comfortable than ever inside the Octagon, and that was evident once again here. He and Simon fought to even terms throughout the fight, but Barcelos was able to do just a little bit more. It started by stuffing all six of Simon's takedown attempts. Raoni landed just 1-of-8 tries himself, but the constant movement and pressure served to keep his opponent off balance. The winner of four straight, Barcelos is currently one of the hottest fighters in a loaded bantamweight division.
At age 38, Barcelos seems to have found a second wind. He looks more comfortable than ever inside the Octagon, and that was evident once again here. He and Simon fought to even terms throughout the fight, but Barcelos was able to do just a little bit more. It started by stuffing all six of Simon's takedown attempts. Raoni landed just 1-of-8 tries himself, but the constant movement and pressure served to keep his opponent off balance. The winner of four straight, Barcelos is currently one of the hottest fighters in a loaded bantamweight division.
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Added to UFC Vegas 111 card
Barcelos is scheduled to fight Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 111 on Nov. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Barcelos is likely feeling confident after defeating former champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta on June 14. Barcelos is in the midst of a three-bout winning streak but will face a capable opponent in Simon, who has already secured a pair of victories in 2025.
Barcelos is likely feeling confident after defeating former champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC Fight Night in Atlanta on June 14. Barcelos is in the midst of a three-bout winning streak but will face a capable opponent in Simon, who has already secured a pair of victories in 2025.
Takes decision from former champ
Barcelos defeated Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Barcelos had no problems as a +700 underdog against top prospect Payton Talbott in January. He dropped Round 1 on all three scorecards here against Garbrandt before finding his range, aided by the latter's woeful gas tank. A grappler by trade, Barcelos fired off 11 takedown attempts, landing just one. They're ugly numbers on paper, but they served to keep Cody off-balance, which was all that was needed given Garbrandt's lack of energy. The Brazilian looked like a potential release candidate following a stretch from June 2021 to August 2023 in which he went 1-4, but the 38-year-old Barcelos has somehow won three straight since.
Barcelos had no problems as a +700 underdog against top prospect Payton Talbott in January. He dropped Round 1 on all three scorecards here against Garbrandt before finding his range, aided by the latter's woeful gas tank. A grappler by trade, Barcelos fired off 11 takedown attempts, landing just one. They're ugly numbers on paper, but they served to keep Cody off-balance, which was all that was needed given Garbrandt's lack of energy. The Brazilian looked like a potential release candidate following a stretch from June 2021 to August 2023 in which he went 1-4, but the 38-year-old Barcelos has somehow won three straight since.
Will fight Garbrandt
Barcelos will take on Cody Garbrandt in a bantamweight bout at UFC Atlanta on June 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Barcelos is riding plenty of momentum, coming into this fight the winner of two straight bouts. He most recently disposed of Payton Talbott via unanimous decision back in January, a win that pushed his UFC record to 8-4. He'll look to make it three straight against the younger Garbrandt, who is looking to bounce back after a loss and two straight cancelled bouts.
Barcelos is riding plenty of momentum, coming into this fight the winner of two straight bouts. He most recently disposed of Payton Talbott via unanimous decision back in January, a win that pushed his UFC record to 8-4. He'll look to make it three straight against the younger Garbrandt, who is looking to bounce back after a loss and two straight cancelled bouts.
Rolls through top prospect
Barcelos defeated Payton Talbott via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
It's only the second card of the year, but this fight could easily end up being the biggest upset of the year when 2025 comes to a close. Barcelos was a +700 underdog and won going away. He landed eight takedowns on the evening. For comparison sake, Raoni had connected on just 17 takedowns over the course of his first 11 UFC bouts combined. He stuck to Talbott like glue early on and wisely went to that well over and over. It was a simple case of a young, uber-talented fighter getting schooled by a veteran with an advantage over him in one discipline. Set to turn 38 years of age in May, Raoni has won two in a row on the heels of a brief two-fight losing streak.
It's only the second card of the year, but this fight could easily end up being the biggest upset of the year when 2025 comes to a close. Barcelos was a +700 underdog and won going away. He landed eight takedowns on the evening. For comparison sake, Raoni had connected on just 17 takedowns over the course of his first 11 UFC bouts combined. He stuck to Talbott like glue early on and wisely went to that well over and over. It was a simple case of a young, uber-talented fighter getting schooled by a veteran with an advantage over him in one discipline. Set to turn 38 years of age in May, Raoni has won two in a row on the heels of a brief two-fight losing streak.
Scheduled for undefeated prospect
Barcelos is scheduled to compete against Payton Talbott in a bantamweight fight at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Barcelos' next opponent is 9-0 and coming off two KO/TKOs from 2024. As for Barcelos himself, he has struggled to find his footing, with a 1-4 record across his last five fights.
Barcelos' next opponent is 9-0 and coming off two KO/TKOs from 2024. As for Barcelos himself, he has struggled to find his footing, with a 1-4 record across his last five fights.