R. Barcelos regrets his first defeat in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
One of the biggest Brazilian bets on bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), Raoni barcelos ended up experiencing his first defeat in Ultimate this Saturday (26). In one of the main fights of the UFC Las Vegas 30, the Tupiniquim fought a balanced confrontation against Timur Valiev, he came close to the knockout, but it wasn't enough for two professionals from the evaluation team. After three rounds, the Russian was declared the winner with a majority decision by the judges, with one of them scoring a draw.
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Promise from Brazil, Barcelos arrived at the octagon to defend an undefeated series of nine fights (five in the UFC), in addition to getting closer to the top 15 in the category, today, led by aljamain sterling. The Brazilian, however, had difficulties in the first stage, with an opponent confident in his attacks. In the second round, however, Raoni was close to winning by knockout, but his rival ended up saved by the bell. The last round, marked by balance, was decisive for the outcome.
With the setback, the Brazilian had to postpone his dream of reaching the top 15 bantamweight rankings. The Rio native has not lost a challenge since April 2014.
A Russian standout, Valiev maintained his undefeated record in the UFC. In the company since August 2020, the athlete reached his second victory and also has a ‘I didn't answer'.
The fight
The confrontation began with the Russian risking a high kick, which went empty. Raoni remained surrounding his opponent, trying to find the distance to strike. The Brazilian's first attack was a low kick, answered with a jab from the Russian. The duel remained busy, with the athletes exchanging attacks in the center of the Octagon. The Russian continued to risk combinations, but the Brazilian was attentive when blocking. The Rio native was betting on the counterattack. Whenever Valiev struck, the Tupiniquim responded. In the final seconds, Timur looked for Barcelos' legs and attempted a takedown. Against the bars, the Tupiniquim defended himself well and managed to get away, but there was no more time.
In the second stage, Raoni took the initiative with a low kick. More aggressive, the Rio native walked forward and tried to frame his opponent. Even walking backwards, the Russian remained dangerous with his punches and kicks. Valiev tried to opt for a grappling fight, but Barcelos defended himself well. Halfway through the round, Raoni closed the distance and hit the Russian with crosses. Under pressure, the Russian protected himself and pushed the Rio away with jabs. Near the final minute, the Brazilian responded to a direct shot with a clean cross to the Russian's chin, who collapsed. Barcelos went up, continued striking. Valiev got up, but ended up being taken down by an uppercut. From below, Timur clung to the carioca until the timer reached zero.
The last round marked a possible tiebreaker between the roosters. Just like in previous attacks, the athletes showed a lot of physical vigor and exchanged blows in the center of the octagon. Barcelos continued touching the Russian's face with jabs and straight shots, while Valiev tried to respond in kind. Almost halfway through the stage, a clean right from Timur hit the carioca's face, but the Tupiniquim didn't even move. Raoni continued walking forward and tried to frame his opponent close to the bars. With around two minutes remaining, Valiev tried to take down the Rio native again, but the Brazilian remained safe in his defenses. In the final minute, the fighters went all or nothing. Timur attacked the Brazilian with an elbow to the face and Raoni responded with a straight shot. Barcelos risked a combination of punches, but the attacks came in without power. The confrontation ended with the athletes studying each other close to the bars.
Boser runs over St. Preux and wins again in the UFC
T. Boser in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Experiencing a complicated moment in Ultimate, Tanner Boser found career recovery in the co-main fight of UFC Las Vegas 30. In a heavyweight clash (up to 120,2kg), the Canadian performed confidently and controlled the actions against the veteran Ovince St Preux. After dominating the first round, Boser won with a tough knockout in the second round.
With the result, Boser ends a series of two negative results. Before beating Ovince, Tanner was going through setbacks Andrei Arlovski e Ilir Latifi.
Former challenger for the UFC light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg) (2016), St. Preux still doesn't find himself in the 120,2kg category. The tough defeat to the Canadian marked the veteran's third defeat in four appearances in the group.
UFC Las Vegas 30 results
MAIN CARD
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Cyryl Gane derrotou Alexander Volkov in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 49-46, 50-45)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Tanner Boser derrotou Ovince St Preux by knockout at 2m31s of R2
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Timur Valiev defeated Raoni barcelos in the majority decision of the judges (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): André Fili x Daniel Pineda ended No Result (No Contest) 46s from R2
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Tim means derrotou Nicholas Dalby in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Renato Moicano finished Jai Herbert with a rear naked choke at 4m34s of R2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Kennedy Nzechukwu derrotou Danilo Marques by technical knockout at 20 seconds. from R3
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Shavkat Rakhmonov finished Michel Tractor with a rear naked choke at 2m10s of R2
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Jeremiah Wells derrotou Warlley alves by knockout at 30sec. from R2
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Marcin Prachnio defeated Ike Villanueva by technical knockout in 56 seconds. from R2
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Julia Avila finished Julija Stoliarenko with a rear naked choke at 4m19s of R3
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Charles Rosa derrotou Justin jaynes in the judges' split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Damir Hadzović defeated Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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