Finally, some good news straight from the mouth of Raoni Barcelos.<\/p>\n
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight veteran has spoken publicly for the first time since the terrifying conclusion to his UFC Vegas 121<\/a> main event against Raul Rosas Jr. this past weekend (Sat., Sept. 26, 2026) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.<\/p>\n And, most importantly, Barcelos says he\u2019s doing well<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHey guys, how\u2019s it going? I\u2019m coming here to send you a message to say that I\u2019m doing well,\u201d Barcelos said from the hospital<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m doing very well. I\u2019m having all the exams done here at the hospital. It\u2019s really just standard hospital protocol. It has to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n Barcelos then thanked fight fans for the overwhelming amount of support he\u2019s received since the frightening incident.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful for all the prayers, all the messages of affection,\u201d Barcelos continued. \u201cKeep sending that positive energy.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a>).<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rosas was officially awarded the fifth-round knockout victory.<\/p>\n In his Instagram caption accompanying today\u2019s video, Barcelos offered the clearest explanation yet of what he remembers happening.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were putting up a great fight,\u201d Barcelos wrote. \u201cI was feeling great, winning round by round, even in fifth. Unfortunately, I just fainted.\u201d<\/p>\n Barcelos added that he remains under observation and is being \u201cwatched closely,\u201d promising to provide more information once he receives it. For now, though, he insists he\u2019s feeling great.<\/p>\n That is particularly encouraging considering just how concerning the scene looked in real time.<\/p>\n Barcelos even managed to find some humor in how everything unfolded.<\/p>\n \u201cI truly gave it my absolute all inside that cage,\u201d Barcelos said. \u201cLike I had said before, I was only leaving that cage carried out on a stretcher, and honestly, that is exactly how it all happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Unfortunately, it wasn\u2019t for the reason Barcelos had envisioned.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the way I wanted,\u201d he continued. \u201cI wanted to have been the champion, to have left with the victory, but the Good Lord knows everything. So let\u2019s move on to the next one. I\u2019m here, I\u2019m okay, I\u2019ll be back. I\u2019ll come back stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For now, that\u2019s secondary to the biggest update everyone was waiting for.<\/p>\n Barcelos is awake, talking, smiling and \u2014 in his own words \u2014 \u201cdoing great.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd like a fine wine,\u201d Barcelos wrote, \u201cI\u2019ll come back even better.\u201d<\/p>\n For complete UFC Vegas 121 results and play-by-play click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n