Las Vegas, NV — Brazilian bantamweight Raoni Barcelos is thrilled to be back to work just three months after his most recent fight.
The 35-year old defeated Trevin Jones in October, and is getting right back to business against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov as part of this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 67 main card.
Picking up the win over Jones, which snapped a two-fight skid, “was incredible,” Barcelos (17-3) told media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday’s UFC Vegas 67 media day. “Get back to a win, show you guys that I’m back. Back to working, and happy to be here.”
Of course, with UFC 283 in Rio arriving just a week after UFC Vegas 67, there’s a question as to whether Barcelos would have been even happier to fight at home.
“Sure, I want to be there, on the Rio de Janeiro card,” Barcelos admitted. “But I’m happy to be here right now and open the year. For sure both of the events are going to be good, but I’m happy to be here and starting the year.”
Opponent Umar Nurmagomedov remains undefeated as a pro with 15 wins, zero losses, and three victories under the UFC banner. Asked where the Dagestani ranks among the opponents he’s faced off with throughout his career, Barcelos replied that “for sure, a fight against Umar— he’s a good fighter, he’s proven that. He’s coming, no losses right? A fight against him, get a win over him, they showed me what I’m coming here for. Step by step, I’m going to walk to where I want to go, which is a title shot.”
Raoni Barcelos isn’t currently ranked at bantamweight. Umar Nurmagomedov is, however, sitting in the #11 spot. So while arguably a little premature, title talk is not entirely as far-fetched as you might think.
While suggesting that Merab Dvalishvili is one name on his mind — “he was calling my name before” — Barcelos said of a title opportunity that if it doesn’t come this year, “for sure, next year, I’ll come in there.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 67 media day appearance by Raoni Barcelos above.
