UFC debut at 17, now on a six-fight win streak at 21

Barcelos loses consciousness, taken to hospital but recovering

Raul Rosas Jr. (right) lands a hard right straight on Haonil Barcelos during UFC Fight Night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [UFC]
Raul Rosas Jr. (right) lands a hard right straight on Haonil Barcelos during UFC Fight Night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [UFC]

Raul Rosas Jr., the 21-year-old rising star of the UFC bantamweight division, extended his winning streak to six fights Sunday with a dramatic comeback victory over veteran Haonil Barcelos (39, Brazil) — a fighter 18 years his senior.

Ranked No. 12 at bantamweight, Rosas Jr. defeated No. 13 Barcelos by TKO at 1 minute 38 seconds of the fifth round in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time).

For much of the fight, Rosas Jr. appeared to be losing control. He pressured Barcelos with aggressive striking early on, but from the second round he began conceding body shots and takedowns, ceding the initiative. In the fourth round, Barcelos took his back and threatened with a rear-naked choke.

The fifth round, however, brought a reversal. Rosas Jr. pushed forward relentlessly, and in a clinch he tripped Barcelos to the canvas. Barcelos suddenly lost consciousness, and the referee immediately stopped the fight.

Before celebrating, Rosas Jr. paused to check on the fallen Barcelos, watching over him with visible concern. After the bout he continued to express respect for his opponent and wished him a full recovery.

Barcelos was transported to a nearby Level 1 trauma center. The UFC said he underwent a CT scan and comprehensive examination and was in stable condition — conscious, alert and able to move all his limbs. The exact cause of his loss of consciousness has not been disclosed.

Raul Rosas Jr. unloads with a left hook during the fight. [UFC]
Raul Rosas Jr. unloads with a left hook during the fight. [UFC]

Rosas Jr. signed with the UFC in 2022 at age 17 through Dana White's Contender Series, setting records as the youngest fighter ever contracted by and to win inside the organization. With his sixth consecutive victory, he called out higher-ranked opponents after the fight, signaling his intent to push toward the bantamweight title.

The event also featured the finale of "The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 34," the UFC's reality competition series. In the women's strawweight final, Tina Black (Brazil) defeated Melissa Amaya (United States) by TKO at 3 minutes 19 seconds of the second round. In the men's bantamweight final, Ilimbek Akilbek (Kyrgyzstan) won by disqualification at 2 minutes 19 seconds of the first round after Mehemmedeli Osmanli (Azerbaijan) landed an illegal knee.


yjc@heraldcorp.com