One of the fighters who have seldom failed to attract the fighting community is Raoni Barcelos. With 18 victories and just 5 losses, the 37-year-old is on the road to popularity. However, there are still a handful of things that the world doesn’t know about him. And one of those things is his ethnic background. 

That’s exactly what we’ll tackle today! Let’s take a deep dive and get to know all there is to know about Barcelos’ roots. Well, the social and cultural factors of an area usually play a major role in deciding the type of fighter one becomes.

Where is Raoni Barcelos from?

Barcelos was born on the 1st of May 1987, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brazilian stalwart is proficient in Jiu-Jitsu (as you would expect of most Brazilian MMA stars).  Barcelos, however, has made a name as more of a striker. He has won 8 of his 18 wins via KO/TKO, while only 3 came from submissions. 

That doesn’t mean that he never really competed in the grappling championships. Barcelos has some serious silverware in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu realm. After all, he has the blood of Carlos Gracie flowing through his veins. Look at some of his achievements.

• 2 medals at CBJJ Brazilian Nationals as a blue belt
• 1 gold at CBJJO World Championship 2005 as a purple belt
• Gold at IBJJF World Championships 2002 and 2003, as a blue belt, and in 2006 as a purple belt
• 1st place at FDJJ Portuguese Nationals 2010
• 1st place at CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI 2009

So go to the ground with this guy at your own risk. And his favorite techniques? He loves to drill the double-leg takedown and flying armbar. But it’s the rear naked choke that got him 2 out of 3 submission wins. Nevertheless, the Brazilian mixed martial artist is on the path to greatness in the MMA realm. 

But how did the 37-year-old former RFA champion begin his journey as a mixed martial artist? Well, legends say that it was all because of his father, Laerte Barcelos. Let’s take a look at the Brazilian’s MMA journey, shall we?

How did Raoni Barcelos begin his MMA journey?

It was Laerte Barcelos, the bantamweight’s father, who reeled him into the MMA world. Well, Barcelos Sr. was actually a freestyle wrestler who held a 7th-degree coral belt in BJJ. During a previous conversation with the UFC, Barcelos said, “I started training jiu-jitsu at age five because of my father, who is still my current trainer. I spent a few years on the Brazilian National Wrestling Team before transitioning to MMA.” Barcelos indeed won 3 back-to-back grappling fights before joining Shooto Brazil as a mixed martial artist in March 2012. 

The bantamweight won 4 fights at Shooto Brazil before switching to Web FC. Later on, he jumped on to Resurrection Fighting Alliance in 2012. It was at RFA 14 that he faced his first defeat. But that didn’t stop him from winning the RFA championship featherweight belt and defending it twice. Finally, he vacated his position and moved to the UFC in 2018.

Barcelos’ UFC debut was against Kurt Holobaugh at UFC Fight Night 133. It was the event that got him a Fight of the Night bonus, as well. But it was his 6th UFC bout where the Brazilian faced defeat via a majority decision. As of now, he stands tall with a score of 7-4 in the UFC.

Now, Barcelos is all set to lock horns with Payton Talbott at UFC 311. With a one-fight winning streak, the Brazilian would certainly do his best to dominate the Octagon and claim a win this weekend.

Who do you think would win in the clash between Barcelos and Talbott at UFC 311? Drop down to the comments below and let us know what you think.