Raoni Barcelos breaks silence on UFC collapse, reveals frightening symptoms and possible retirement

Raoni Barcelos is still waiting to learn why he lost consciousness during his UFC Vegas 121 main event against Raul Rosas Jr. on September 26. The 39-year-old Brazilian says his whole body went numb before he blacked out. Nearly three weeks later, he feels better each day, but doctors have yet to give him a clear answer. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Barcelos confirmed that he is undergoing more medical tests in Las Vegas. He hopes to fight again, although he admits retirement remains a possibility.Raoni Barcelos Awaits Medical Results After Losing Consciousness Against Raul Rosas Jr.Barcelos said the frightening episode began with a sudden loss of feeling throughout his body. He remembers nothing about what happened next until he woke up in an ambulance and asked his father to explain the situation.“Unfortunately, we don’t know what happened,” Barcelos told MMA Fighting. “It was a sudden illness. I fell ill, and I felt my whole body really starting to go numb. After that, I don’t remember anything. I only remember coming to in the ambulance, asking my father what had happened, and him trying to explain it to me as best he could.”The incident happened during the fifth round of his fight with Rosas Jr. Barcelos was ahead on the judges’ scorecards when he suddenly lost consciousness. The referee stopped the contest, giving Rosas Jr. a technical knockout win. Barcelos was taken to a Level 1 trauma center for medical care.The UFC confirmed on September 27 that Barcelos was stable, alert and responsive after a CT scan and a medical assessment. However, his latest update shows that the cause of the collapse remains unclear.“I’m undergoing a battery of tests here in Vegas. I had another MRI on Monday and we’re waiting for a good result,” he said. “The doctor hasn’t released the results yet, and everything is being kept very confidential, but I feel better every day.”Former UFC champion Glover Teixeira, who was in Barcelos’ corner, said earlier in October that doctors had found some swelling in the fighter’s brain. However, Barcelos is still waiting for doctors to explain exactly what caused him to collapse.Raoni Barcelos Has Not Ruled Out Retirement After His Health ScareDespite the uncertainty, Barcelos has not given up on his fighting career. He is visiting the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas for physical therapy and neurological tests while doctors continue to assess his condition.Still, the Brazilian understands that his health must come first. He admitted that retirement could happen, even though he does not want to think about leaving the sport right now.“It hasn’t been ruled out. This is a very difficult time because we’re athletes, we’re fighters, and you never want to stop,” Barcelos said. “A lot of the time, your body can’t take it anymore, but your mind keeps you going. We really need to give it time to see what the future holds. But I want to make it clear right now that I don’t want to stop.”Barcelos has also spoken with his father, Davi Ramos, Andre Felipe and Teixeira about what comes next. He said they advised him to focus on recovery instead of making a decision while the incident is still fresh.“A lot of people have already retired me before my time laughs, but I really need this time to figure out what comes next,” he added.For now, Barcelos has been told to avoid head strikes for six months and keep his heart rate within a safe range. He must complete his medical checks before considering a return to full training.The Brazilian still wants to compete, but his next step depends on what doctors discover. Until he receives clear answers and medical approval, a return to the UFC remains uncertain.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.