R. Barcelos celebrates victory in UFC Las Vegas 13. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
O UFC Las Vegas 13 may not have been a good event for Brazilian athletes in general, but it was great for Raoni barcelos. At the show, held this Saturday (7), in the USA, the carioca surpassed Khalid Taha in the octagon and also the adversities outside of it, as his father, master Laerte Barcelos, and his coach, Pedro Rizzo, were unable to be present, as they tested positive for Covid-19.
At the press conference, held shortly after the duel, Raoni dedicated his great performance, which earned him the fight of the night bonus, the pair highlighted that his mentality was crucial to his success and believes that he has proven himself capable of facing the best athletes of bantamweight (61,2kg).
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"I am really happy. I faced a war and had to overcome myself. I fought without the presence of my father and my trainer in my corner and I missed them a lot. I was a warrior! I think my father is overjoyed. He is always very happy and must be proud. I'm making his dream come true too. I am a focused athlete. My mental part is very good. I proved that I can go beyond what I imagine. I want to be among the best and face them”, said Raoni.
Still undefeated in the UFC and having won his fifth consecutive fight for the organization, the Brazilian once again showed confidence in his abilities. So much so that he promised to shake up the structures of the category and be its champion in the future.
“I think the division met the Raoni barcelos, who until then didn't know who he was. I'm here to create a hurricane in the category, to be the champion and not just another one. I know I'm going to face tough fighters and I've proven I can handle them. I'm ready and I'm going to do well. The UFC could give me a top-10 or a top-5. I don't like saying names, but I'm prepared to fight against the best. I showed this to Dana and Sean Shelby and I want to prove myself more and more and be the bantamweight champion”, he highlighted.
Excited about the triumph and the bonus, Raoni would like to fight again in 2020 and wants to perform more frequently, despite revealing that many athletes refuse to face him.
“I want to return to fighting as soon as possible. Suddenly, in December. If any athlete wants to fight, I will be ready. I need to be in action. I can't stay still for so long. Many fighters refuse me. The UFC can put me against the best, and I'll prove myself. I understand them, but if a fighter wants to be champion, he has to face the best. I think so and so does my father. Since my jiu-jitsu and wrestling days, I've had this mentality. The tougher and better the fighter, that's who I want to face. I will represent Brazil well”, he concluded.
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