Raoni Barcelos's trainer reveals behind the scenes of the 'blackout' in UFC and updates the health picture of the Brazilian

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

Before UFC Vegas 121: four rounds ahead and five wins in a row

Raoni Barcelos came into the main event of UFC Vegas 121 with a streak of five consecutive wins. Against much younger Raul Rosas Jr., the Brazilian went for the fifth round ahead in the standings, according to his coach Davi Ramos' reading.

David says that by acting, the team "won this fight" and even speaks of a sixth victory, but the outcome in the fifth round took the win from the hands of the team. At the head of the technical committee, Raoni showed evolution in standing exchange and was connected to the combat plan, which reinforced the feeling of progress in the race for the belt.

The fifth round: fall without reason, ambulance and result interrupted

The change occurred in the fifth round. Pressed against the grid, Raoni Barcelos fell unconscious during a fall attempt by Raul Rosas Jr., for no apparent reason. Herb Dean ended the duel right there.

Raul Rosas Jr. momentarily stopped the celebration when he saw his opponent agonizing on the floor, a gesture of respect that increased the concern of the MMA community.2024 Davi Ramos was unable to enter the octagon and gave room for medical work.[3] Alongside Raoni's father, he accompanied the departure of the unconscious fighter and his stay in the ambulance until the hospital in Las Vegas.[4]

First medical responses: stroke and heart attack ruled out, but 'sudden illness' unexplained

Two days after apagão, Davi Ramos updated the situation in an exclusive interview with ESPN.com.br. He states that there are still no all answers about the "sudden evil" in Apex's octagon, but ensures that Raoni is already well inside the hospital, does activities normally and awaits further examinations.

On arrival at the hospital, the hypotheses of stroke and heart attack were ruled out. According to the coach, the UFC's own doctor had never seen a situation like that of the Brazilian. During the fright, Davi came to think about an old injury in his neck or shoulder, because in the fight in Mexico against Cristian Quiñonez, in ESPN.com, the Brazilians had injured his shoulder.

Hospital update: three CT scans, conversation, laughter and support from Ultimate

Since being admitted, Raoni Barcelos has had three CT scans. The last two showed no changes, a sign of stability. Davi Ramos spent the night from Sunday to Monday with the athlete and says that he slept well, brushed his teeth and did his needs alone.

Waking up, the wrestler remembers the moment when he blacked out: his legs fell asleep before the fall. At the hospital, he re-watched the fight itself and showed excitement about the performance, according to the coach.

Communication with his family was also a priority in the face of the "whirlwind of information". Glover Teixeira, coach of Alex Poatan and former UFC light heavyweight champion, helped pass on details to Raoni's father, mother and wife.

Hunter Campbell, Ultimate's chief executive officer visited Raoni in the hospital and assured him that the UFC will support the team with hospitalization, living expenses and travel.

What's left: medical follow-up, postponed future and race for the belt

For the community, the main doubt is still the cause of the blackout; for Raoni Barcelos and his team, the agenda now is medical before being competitive.

Personalities such as Paul Felder have called for the Brazilian's retirement in the name of health preservation. Davi Ramos says that this issue has not yet been addressed with Raoni and considers it too early for any definition.

The team awaits the final results of exams and resumption of training to evaluate whether the race for the belt continues. In Davi's reading, the defeat did not hinder the moment; the performance at UFC Vegas 121 may even have left Raoni Barcelos closer to the title.