Raoni Barcelos suffered a traumatic brain injury during the main event at UFC 121 in Las Vegas on September 26, according to his longtime teammate Glover Teixeira. The 39-year-old fighter lost consciousness in the fifth and final round during a takedown by Raul Rosas Jr., spending three days in a local hospital for testing and stabilization before details of his condition emerged.
Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosis After UFC 121
The fight concluded with a victory awarded to Raul Rosas Jr., while Barcelos required immediate medical transport. Teixeira spoke publicly about the health crisis, explaining that tests revealed brain swelling that triggered a blackout as a protective response. “There was some swelling in his brain, so it was a traumatic brain injury, and maybe that swelling caused him to black out,” Teixeira stated. “It was the body’s defense mechanism. ‘Let’s shut this down because this guy isn’t stop.’ His mind was stronger than his body, right? He didn’t want to give up.” Barcelos remained hospitalized for three days while physicians monitored his neurological status.
Future Fighting Career Decisions and Medical Clearance
Teixeira noted that any return to the Octagon requires extensive medical evaluation and consultation. “Of course, [his future is] going to be a conversation he’ll have with his family and everyone else,” Teixeira said. “He needs to undergo all the proper tests to find out what happened, whether it really was a result of the trauma from the fight. It’s a decision that has to be made with a lot of care and caution.” Despite the hospitalization, Barcelos has maintained a positive attitude during his recovery.
Details regarding Barcelos brain injury and hospital stay
What caused Raoni Barcelos to lose consciousness at UFC 121?
Glover Teixeira confirmed that Barcelos suffered a traumatic brain injury involving brain swelling during the fifth round, which acted as the body’s defense mechanism to shut down during a takedown by Raul Rosas Jr.
How long was Raoni Barcelos hospitalized?
Barcelos remained in a local Las Vegas hospital for three days following the bout while medical staff ran tests to ensure he was in stable condition.
Will Raoni Barcelos fight again?
Teixeira stated that Barcelos’s fighting future depends on comprehensive medical testing and discussions with his family, though the 39-year-old fighter is typically inclined to continue competing.
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