Home Viral Pop Culture 2

The Shocking Aftermath: What Raoni Barcelos’ Upset Win Over Cody Garbrandt Means For The Bantamweight Division

• minute read
Contents

The bantamweight division continues to be a chaotic landscape, and nothing underscored that reality more than the stunning result from June 14, 2025. On that night, former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody "No Love" Garbrandt was handed a major setback by the surging Brazilian veteran, Raoni Barcelos, in a unanimous decision loss at UFC on ESPN 69: Usman vs. Buckley in Atlanta. The fight, which was meant to be a showcase for Garbrandt's return to form, instead solidified Barcelos as a true contender and sent the former champion back to the drawing board as the year 2025 draws to a close.

The immediate impact of the Garbrandt vs. Barcelos clash has created two distinctly different career narratives heading into 2026. For Barcelos, it was the signature win he desperately needed to enter the upper echelon of the 135-pound weight class. For Garbrandt, it was a harsh reminder of the fine margins in the UFC, forcing him to re-evaluate his path in a division stacked with elite talent. This article breaks down the pivotal fight, the critical scorecards, and the current, up-to-date status of both fighters.

Cody "No Love" Garbrandt & Raoni Barcelos: Tale of the Tape and Career Biographies

The June 2025 bout pitted a former champion known for his explosive power against a relentless, well-rounded Brazilian fighter with a world-class grappling pedigree. The difference in career trajectory following the fight could not be more dramatic.

Cody "No Love" Garbrandt Biography & Career Snapshot (As of December 2025)

  • Full Name: Cody Ray Allen Garbrandt
  • Nickname: "No Love"
  • Date of Birth: July 7, 1991
  • Age: 34
  • Nationality: American (Uhrichsville, Ohio)
  • Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
  • Reach: 65.5" (166 cm)
  • Fighting Style: Boxing, Freestyle Wrestling
  • Professional MMA Record: 14 Wins, 7 Losses, 0 Draws (14-7-0)
  • Notable Achievement: Former UFC Bantamweight Champion (Defeated Dominick Cruz at UFC 207)
  • Training Camp: Team Alpha Male
  • Last Fight: Loss to Raoni Barcelos (Unanimous Decision, June 14, 2025)

Raoni Barcelos Biography & Career Snapshot (As of December 2025)

  • Full Name: Raoni Mendonca Barcelos
  • Nickname: N/A (Often referred to by his name)
  • Date of Birth: May 1, 1987 (some sources suggest 1985)
  • Age: 38
  • Nationality: Brazilian (Rio de Janeiro)
  • Height: 5'7" (171 cm)
  • Reach: 67" (170 cm)
  • Fighting Style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Amateur Wrestling
  • Professional MMA Record: 21 Wins, 5 Losses, 0 Draws (21-5-0)
  • Notable Achievement: Former RFA Featherweight Champion, Multi-time BJJ World Champion's Cup winner
  • Training Camp: Rio Fighters
  • Last Fight: Win against Ricky Simon (Unanimous Decision, November 8, 2025)

The June 2025 Upset: Barcelos Dominates the Scorecards

The three-round bantamweight clash at UFC on ESPN 69 was a textbook example of a veteran's resilience overcoming a former champion's speed. Garbrandt started the fight with the explosive, high-output style that brought him the title, landing crisp boxing combinations and showcasing his signature footwork. However, as the fight progressed into the second and third rounds, the pace began to favor the relentless pressure and superior conditioning of Raoni Barcelos.

Barcelos, whose background is rooted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling, systematically wore down "No Love." While the fight was primarily a stand-up affair, Barcelos' constant forward pressure and his ability to land significant strikes in the pocket proved decisive. Garbrandt struggled to maintain his early momentum, a familiar pattern in his recent losses, and his output significantly dropped in the championship rounds.

The official scorecards reflected a close but clear victory for the Brazilian: 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28, all in favor of Raoni Barcelos. The loss was Garbrandt's second consecutive defeat, following a submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo, putting his once-glittering career at a critical juncture.

Divergent Paths: What's Next for Garbrandt and Barcelos in 2026

The fallout from the June 14th fight has set both fighters on completely separate trajectories as the UFC calendar flips to 2026. The story is no longer about a potential rematch, but about one fighter ascending while the other attempts to rebuild.

Raoni Barcelos: Riding the Momentum into the Rankings

Barcelos used the momentum from his high-profile victory over the former champion to immediately secure another significant win. Just five months later, on November 8, 2025, Barcelos defeated a tough Ricky Simon via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Bonfim vs. Brown. This two-fight win streak against high-level competition has firmly established Barcelos as a legitimate threat in the bantamweight division.

His impressive 21-5-0 record and his ability to neutralize a striker of Garbrandt's caliber demonstrate his elite versatility. Barcelos’ next step is undoubtedly a ranked opponent in the top 10, with the goal of securing a title eliminator bout by the end of 2026. His blend of high-level BJJ and powerful striking makes him a difficult puzzle for anyone in the 135-pound weight class.

Cody Garbrandt: The Path to Redemption at UFC 326

For Cody Garbrandt, the loss to Barcelos was a devastating blow to his career resurgence plans. With an official record of 14-7-0, and having lost two consecutive fights, "No Love" is now focused on snapping his losing skid and proving he still belongs among the elite.

The good news for Garbrandt fans is that his next fight is already confirmed. The former champion is scheduled to return at UFC 326 in early 2026, where he will face China's Long Xiao (also known as Xiao Long) in a bantamweight contest. This fight is a crucial, must-win scenario for Garbrandt.

A victory over Long Xiao would stop the slide and allow Garbrandt to begin climbing back up the rankings. A third consecutive loss, however, would raise serious questions about his future in the UFC bantamweight division. The pressure is immense, but the opportunity for a spectacular, career-saving performance is exactly what a fighter of Garbrandt's caliber thrives on.

Conclusion: The New Reality of Bantamweight

The Cody Garbrandt vs. Raoni Barcelos fight on June 14, 2025, was more than just a single result; it was a changing of the guard. It marked the rise of Raoni Barcelos as a force to be reckoned with and signaled a critical turning point for Cody Garbrandt. As we move into 2026, the entire bantamweight division will be watching Garbrandt's return at UFC 326. Meanwhile, Raoni Barcelos will continue his climb, having secured his legacy-defining win and proving that in the UFC, "No Love" is not enough to stop a relentless veteran on a mission.

cody garbrandt vs raoni barcelos
cody garbrandt vs raoni barcelos

Detail Author:

  • Name : Candace VonRueden
  • Username : sylvan.swift
  • Email : lowe.vincent@hotmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1979-10-14
  • Address : 39711 Toy Plains Apt. 488 Gustchester, NJ 38501-6245
  • Phone : (804) 472-7083
  • Company : Will-Hauck
  • Job : Irradiated-Fuel Handler
  • Bio : Asperiores vel est alias laboriosam tempore corporis sequi. Voluptatem et eveniet autem officiis hic est quidem eos. Quia officiis reprehenderit porro.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/alec_official
  • username : alec_official
  • bio : Vel dolore dolorem dicta sunt reiciendis ad. Repudiandae consequatur autem laborum at.
  • followers : 3803
  • following : 1605

linkedin:

tiktok:

facebook:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/alecsauer
  • username : alecsauer
  • bio : Qui asperiores fuga omnis ad placeat omnis veniam. Dolores totam quis ex provident alias debitis est. Tenetur ut incidunt reiciendis.
  • followers : 2669
  • following : 2428

Random Posts