Raoni Barcelos
Raoni Mendonça Barcelos (born May 1, 1987) is a Brazilian former amateur wrestler and grappler, and current professional mixed martial artist. He was five-times Brazilian national wrestling champion, and three-time Resurrection Fighting Alliance featherweight champion in MMA. He currently competes in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. Background. Barcelos was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. He started grappling at the age of five under influence of his father, Laerte Barcelos, who was a Freestyle wrestler in 1980's, competing for Brazilian National Wrestling Team, as well as holding a 7th degree coral belt in jiu -jitsu. Barcelos won numerous major titles in his youth, including becoming 5-times national wrestling champion of Brazil, 2-times South-American wrestling champion, and winning 4 world titles in jiu-jitsu at the lower belt classes. After competing few years for the Brazilian National Wrestling Team, Barcelos transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2012 at the age of 25. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Barcelos started fighting professionally in 2012. He fought under numerous organizations, notably Web Fight Combat, Shooto Brazil, and Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) where he was featherweight champion three times. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Bacelos  was scheduled to make his debut at UFC on October 28, 2017, replacing injured Augusto Mendes. at against Bostom Salmon. Subsequently, Salmon pulled out of the fight on October 20 citing his own injury. As a result, Barcelos was removed from the card as well. Barcelos's finally came on July 14, 2018 at , against Kurt Holobaugh. He won the fight via knockout. This fight earned him the "Fight of the Night" award. His next fight came on November 30, 2018 at against Chris Gutiérrez. He won the fight via technical submission. Barcelos was scheduled to face Said Nurmagomedov on  May 11, 2019 at UFC 237. However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Carlos Huachin. He won the fight via knockout. The bout with Nurmagomedov eventually took place on December 21, 2019 at . Barcelos won the fight via unanimous decision. Barcelos was expected to face Cody Stamann on March 28, 2020 at . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed . Barcelos faced Khalid Taha on November 7, 2020 at . He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the "Fight of the Night" award. Barcelos was expected to face  Merab Dvalishvili on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 19. However, Barcelos was removed from the contest due to a medical suspension related to his latest bout on . Barcelos was scheduled to face Raphael Assunção on February 27, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 186. However, Assunção pulled out of the fight in early February for undisclosed reasons. UFC newcomer Marcelos Rojo was named as the replacement. Subsequently, Bancelos was removed from the fight on February 22 after testing positive for COVID-19. Barcelos faced Timur Valiev on June 26, 2021 at . Despite knocking Valiev down several times, he lost the  fight via majority decision. This fight earned him the "Fight of the Night" award. Barcelos was scheduled to face Trevin Jones on December 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 199. However Jones withdrew from the fight for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Victor Henry. The pairing was then cancelled just hours before taking place due to COVID-19 protocols, and rescheduled to meet on January 22, 2022 at UFC 270. Barcelos lost the fight via unanimous decision. Championships and accomplishments. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Laerte Barcelos >  Raoni Barcelos