Raoni Barcelos eyes pair of high-profile opponents for next UFC appearance

Raoni Barcelos earned his fifth straight UFC win on Saturday. | Getty/UFC

After taking a split-decision victory over Montel Jackson at UFC Fight Night 274 on Saturday, Raoni Barcelos is confident that he will finally enter the bantamweight rankings on the heels of his fifth consecutive triumph.

“I knew that would be a war,” Barcelos told Sherdog.com. “Montel was having good distance control, but I’m a complete fighter, so I used my wrestling to neutralize him. I finished two rounds with a choke on his neck. Unfortunately I wasn't able to submit him, but I got the ‘W.’ Since he was 14th in the rankings I know that from now on the challenges will be even harder.”

The son of legendary master Laerte Barcelos, who competed both in jiu-jitsu and wrestling, Raoni grew up competing since he was 8 years old in both styles and earned five national titles in wrestling, four national championships in BJJ and a silver medal in BJJ nationals as a black belt. Barcelos, who will turn 39 on Friday, said that he didn’t suffer any injuries against Jackson and hopes to return as soon as possible. The Brazilian veteran has two opponents in mind for his next Octagon appearance.

Targets Acquired

“The first name would be Chito Vera, who is coming from a loss. The other name is a countryman, a former champion that I respect a lot, Deiveson Figueiredo,” Barcelos said. “I know that he will have a tough challenge on May 30, but if he wins I would be glad to face him.”

Raoni will spend the week of his birthday doing a series of seminars in California. As soon as he returns to Rio de Janeiro, he will resume training with his father and head coach Davi Ramos, who is a former UFC lightweight fighter.