‘I really feel like tremendous wine’: 39-year-old Raoni Barcelos needs to shake up UFC bantamweight
Raoni Barcelos has been ready nearly 9 years for a UFC major occasion. When he lastly will get one on Saturday, the 39-year-old Brazilian will share the cage with a fighter 18 years youthful than him and ranked alongside him within the bantamweight division.Raul Rosas Jr. will headline UFC Fight Night on the Meta APEX in Las Vegas towards Barcelos, with each males arriving on five-fight successful streaks. Rosas is 21 and ranked No. 12, whereas Barcelos has climbed to No. 8 within the newest Meta UFC rankings.For Barcelos, the main-event alternative has been well worth the wait.“I’m very joyful. It is a distinct feeling from the others as a result of I’m having my first major occasion after so lengthy – nearly 9 years within the organisation. Having this chance could be very nice for me. I’m making the most of it and residing it in the absolute best method,” Barcelos advised TimesofIndia.com.“I’m actually pleased with this second. After 9 years within the organisation, I’m actually having fun with on a regular basis. I deserve this chance; I’ve deserved it for an extended, very long time, and I’m actually pleased with that chance. So I need to give my finest there.”Five rounds will likely be new to him within the UFC, however not completely new to his profession.“I believe I’ve been by means of every little thing within the organisation. I’ve already misplaced by knockout, I’ve already misplaced by factors, I’ve already misplaced and bought robbed, and I’ve already received in some ways. I’ve already been by means of very dangerous conditions. I’ve already fought 5 rounds. It wasn’t within the organisation, however I’ve already fought 5 rounds and defended the title on the time of the RFA.“So these are issues that I’m now far more mature about. Facing Raul Rosas, who is simply 21 years outdated, he nonetheless must undergo some tough issues, and I believe that is the large distinction.”
Five straight wins have modified the equation
Barcelos’ five-fight run contains wins over Payton Talbott, Cody Garbrandt, Ricky Simon and Montel Jackson. His most up-to-date victory, a cut up resolution over Jackson in April, prolonged the streak to 5. Jackson dropped him early earlier than Barcelos recovered and used his wrestling to get again into the struggle.Rosas’ most up-to-date struggle was additionally a choice win, towards Rob Font in March. He is 6-1 within the UFC and has constructed his recreation round wrestling and grappling. He has additionally recorded six submission wins in his 13 skilled victories.Barcelos mentioned the preparation for his final two opponents has helped him develop in the identical areas that may very well be vital towards Rosas.“The distinction was the hanging. Montel was a really aggressive man, so I had to make use of plenty of my wrestling.“Against Ricky Simon, I knew he had excellent boxing, however he additionally had very sharp grappling and was very sturdy on the fence. So they have been two utterly totally different camps, however throughout all these fights, I get stronger in my wrestling and my grappling.“About these two camps, to begin with, Montel Jackson was striker, and I used to be working lots on my wrestling. Ricky Simon was a really aggressive fighter, and he additionally had actually good grappling. I’ve been coaching and getting higher in my grappling recreation, in order that’s why I get higher and higher in each struggle. That’s why I’m prepared for this struggle.”
At 39, Barcelos needs the highest 5
The 39-year-old is now speaking concerning the prime 5 quite than merely making an attempt to get again into the rankings. The present UFC rankings have him at No. 8, which means a win over Rosas may put him inside touching distance of the group he has been focusing on.“I really feel like tremendous wine, you understand? I’m 39 years outdated, however I’m nonetheless younger.“I’m nonetheless feeling younger, you understand? Training like I used to be 21 years outdated, and I really feel good. So I do not know after I can say to you when I’m going to cease preventing, you understand, when I’m going to proceed to struggle. But after this struggle, I need to be within the prime 5 guys.“I need to face these guys, after which 100 per cent, quickly I need to get the title shot quickly. But earlier than that, I must cross this man and beat him and be within the prime 5 rating.”
‘I’m the brand new man’ within the bantamweight division
The timing offers the struggle significance past the 2 locations instantly beside their names. Barcelos doesn’t see himself as an outsider to that group anymore.“I’m the brand new man within the division. It’s humorous to say as a result of I’ve been within the division for a very long time and everybody is aware of me, however I’m displaying that I could be among the many finest.“So that is my objective: to be preventing with them and to indicate increasingly that that is attainable.“Every struggle right here within the bantamweight division, they know me, and now I proved that I should be the place I’m proper now, and I need to proceed there.“I’m the brand new man in that division now. The top-five guys struggle one another like this, however they want somebody new, and I’m this new man.”Watch UFC Fight Night – Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos on September 27, 2026, from 5:30 AM IST reside on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD & Sony LIV.
