Raoni Barcelos is another young up and coming fighter fighting in the Men's Bantamweight Division of the UFC out of Brazil. Raoni actually isn't too young at age 34. But he has been steadily progressing in the sport and seems primed to make a run.
Raoni has an excellent wrestling and grappling background. The wrestling part sort of surprised me. While Brazil is known for pretty good grappling, they are more known for their jiu-jitsu rather than wrestling. Having a strong base in that area of MMA can take a fighter a long way in the sport. Barcelos is light on his feet when it comes to his striking and is a good athlete from his lifetime as a wrestler.
Raoni had been attached to several bouts with notable names like Merab Dvalishvili, Raphael Assunção, and Cody Stamann but the fights all fell through for various Covid or injury related issues.
Regardless, Raoni has beaten some quality opponents in a stacked Bantamweight Division and is 5-1 through his first six UFC fights.
It's once again pretty cool to own a UFC rookie card. You never know who could be the next UFC star and/or Champ! I think Barcelos could surprise some people!
Keep sharing those cards!