Former UFC bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt returned to action at UFC Atlanta, looking to bounce back from a loss against Deiveson Figueiredo opposite Brazil’s Raoni Bracelos.
Barcelos was looking to secure his biggest win to date, off back-to-back victories over Cristian Quinonez and Payton Talbott.
The bantamweight bout was active early, with Garbrandt working outside and Barcelos finding a home for his right hand. The pair clinched up, Barcelos looking for a trip, but Garbrandt stayed up. A knee, however, connected for the Brazilian. By the time they exited the clinch, Garbrandt had been bloodied. As the round progressed, Barcelos landed several leg kicks, but Garbrandt connected with a right, then left, towards the final minute. Barcelos ducked down for a takedown, but couldn’t land it.
Round two continued to be active, Garbrandt again circling outside early. Barcelos was light on his feet, and went back to his leg kicks about 90 seconds in. Then came a single leg attempt, but Garbrandt was able to pull free of that. Still, the Brazilian was back on another attempt moments later, and followed it with a knee. The next time Barcelos backed Garbrandt into the fence, he ripped an uppercut to the body. Cody would fire a combination after coming off the fence, but Barcelos was leading the exchanges more often than not.
Barcelos would have the biggest moment of the fight to that point just prior to the horn, cracking Garbrandt with a right hand and hurting him.
How compromised Cody Garbrandt was heading into the third was a question, and one Barcelos wanted an answer to. Raoni came out early, putting the pressure on; 90 seconds in, a Barcelos leg kick took Garbrandt’s feet out from under him. Barcelos would then take the back along the fence, getting a hook in, then another, with nearly two minutes still remaining in the fight. With Garbrandt arguably in need of a finish to that point, it was a bad spot to be in, but he was able to reverse, and scramble out, going on the attack! A “Cody” chant broke out inside the State Farm Arena, but Garbrandt just couldn’t hit the mark in the final seconds of the fight.
Following the win, Barcelos called out Rob Font next.
Official Result: Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
