Finally, some good news straight from the mouth of Raoni Barcelos.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight veteran has spoken publicly for the first time since the terrifying conclusion to his UFC Vegas 121 main event against Raul Rosas Jr. this past weekend (Sat., Sept. 26, 2026) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And, most importantly, Barcelos says he’s doing well.
“Hey guys, how’s it going? I’m coming here to send you a message to say that I’m doing well,” Barcelos said from the
hospital. “I’m doing very well. I’m having all the exams done here at the hospital. It’s really just standard hospital protocol. It has to be done.”
Barcelos then thanked fight fans for the overwhelming amount of support he’s received since the frightening incident.
“I’m grateful for all the prayers, all the messages of affection,” Barcelos continued. “Keep sending that positive energy.”
The 39-year-old was involved in one of the scariest scenes of the year when he suddenly lost consciousness during the fifth round against Rosas (watch it).
There was no obvious knockout blow immediately preceding the incident, which created significant confusion about what had happened. Barcelos remained down as medical personnel rushed into the Octagon before he was placed on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital.
Rosas was officially awarded the fifth-round knockout victory.
In his Instagram caption accompanying today’s video, Barcelos offered the clearest explanation yet of what he remembers happening.
“We were putting up a great fight,” Barcelos wrote. “I was feeling great, winning round by round, even in fifth. Unfortunately, I just fainted.”
Barcelos added that he remains under observation and is being “watched closely,” promising to provide more information once he receives it. For now, though, he insists he’s feeling great.
That is particularly encouraging considering just how concerning the scene looked in real time.
Barcelos even managed to find some humor in how everything unfolded.
“I truly gave it my absolute all inside that cage,” Barcelos said. “Like I had said before, I was only leaving that cage carried out on a stretcher, and honestly, that is exactly how it all happened.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t for the reason Barcelos had envisioned.
“It wasn’t the way I wanted,” he continued. “I wanted to have been the champion, to have left with the victory, but the Good Lord knows everything. So let’s move on to the next one. I’m here, I’m okay, I’ll be back. I’ll come back stronger.”
While Barcelos describing the episode as fainting provides some clarity, the underlying cause remains unknown. Barcelos did not reveal what doctors believe caused him to lose consciousness, and his statement makes clear that medical testing and observation are continuing.
For now, that’s secondary to the biggest update everyone was waiting for.
Barcelos is awake, talking, smiling and — in his own words — “doing great.”
“And like a fine wine,” Barcelos wrote, “I’ll come back even better.”
For complete UFC Vegas 121 results and play-by-play click here.
