Dana White confirms Barcelos is 'up and walking' after UFC Vegas 121 collapse scare

Raoni Barcelos has been released from hospital and is recovering after one of the most alarming medical incidents in recent UFC history, with promotion president Dana White confirming the Brazilian fighter is “up walking around, talking” following his collapse during Saturday’s main event at UFC Vegas 121.

Barcellos lost consciousness in the fifth round of his fight against Raul Rosas Jr at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Medical personnel attended to him for several minutes before he was removed from the arena on a stretcher and transported to a local trauma centre. He eventually regained consciousness and has since been discharged.

White, who was not present at the event, addressed the situation for the first time on Tuesday night following the latest episode of the Contender Series.

“Thank God, he’s doing well. He’s doing well,” White told reporters. “He’s up walking around, talking, and — yeah.”

White also defended the UFC’s medical protocols, pointing to the precautions in place on the night. “It goes right in line with everything I always talk about and what we do,” he said. “All the pre-fight medicals were triple-checked, everything was good. There were six doctors here that night, three ambulances, he was taken straight to the trauma center, not to Valley. Everything was done the right way and the outcome was good.”

No official diagnosis has been made public regarding what caused Barcelos to collapse, and there is currently no timeline for his return to training. Barcelos himself has reportedly stated his intention to return to competition, though White made clear that any such discussion is premature.

“Not even thinking about that,” White said. “Who gives a shit? As long as the kid is OK.”