UFC Bantamweight Main Event
Rising Star Raul Rosas Jr. Faces Veteran Raoni Barcelos in First UFC Main Event
Anonymous
Raul Rosas Jr. will headline a UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout against 39-year-old Raoni Barcelos at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, marking the first main-event appearance for either fighter and potentially their first five-round UFC contest. Rosas, 21, is 12-1 overall and has won five straight since his only professional loss, while Barcelos enters with an identical five-fight winning streak and a 22-5 record. Rosas is the clear betting favorite, largely because of his elite grappling and UFC-leading bantamweight control-time rate, but Barcelos’ experience, recent victories over established opponents and strong takedown defense make him a credible underdog. The card also includes The Ultimate Fighter 34 finals and other bouts featuring prospects such as Rinya Nakamura, with betting lines expected to move through weigh-ins.
Key Points
1
Rosas Jr. earned his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, one month before turning 18, while Barcelos had already made his UFC debut in 2018.
2
The matchup carries significant ranking stakes: the loser could fall out of the bantamweight top-15 picture, while Barcelos is listed as eighth in the division and Rosas is seeking a breakthrough into the top 10.
3
Rosas’ recent five-fight run includes a shutout unanimous-decision victory over Rob Font at UFC 326, a performance that followed his 2023 decision loss to Christian Rodriguez and highlighted improvements in his striking.
4
Barcelos’ recent winning streak includes victories over Montel Jackson, Ricky Simon, Cody Garbrandt and Payton Talbott, giving the veteran a résumé that extends well beyond his latest split-decision win over Jackson.
5
The card’s other featured bouts include unbeaten women’s strawweight prospect Melissa Amaya against Valesca Machado and a middleweight co-main event between Rudolpho Vieira and Robert Bryczek.
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