Paul
Felder has witnessed several shocking moments during his years
working
Ultimate Fighting Championship events, but Raoni
Barcelos’ collapse at
UFC Vegas 121 left him particularly shaken.
Felder was on commentary duty at Meta Apex in Las Vegas for the
latest Fight Night. The main event, which was a back-and-forth
battle, ended in frightening fashion as Barcelos appeared to go
limp during a wrestling exchange against the Octagon wall in the
final round. The referee immediately stopped the contest, and
Barcelos was removed from the Octagon on a stretcher and
transported to a hospital.
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It was later confirmed that Barcelos was conscious and responsive.
For Felder, the moments after the finish remain unforgettable.
Paul Felder revisits Raoni Barcelos’ collapse at UFC Vegas 121:
‘I thought he had a heart attack’
Speaking on the “Believe You Me” podcast, Felder recalled his
immediate reaction while watching the medical team attend to
Barcelos. The former fighter was alarmed when he saw a doctor check
Barcelos’ pulse, something he said he had never witnessed in
similar circumstances.
“His neck was all clinched up and he was unconscious,” Felder said.
“And it looked like he was — I thought he had a heart attack, off
the bat. Then they came in, and they checked his pulse, which was
terrifying to see. I have never seen somebody that was KO’d, where
they come in and the first thing they did, the doctor put his
fingers right on Raoni’s pulse. I was like, ‘Oh, this is really
bad.”
Felder said the uncertainty continued as Barcelos remained
motionless.
“He was just not getting up and then I’m thinking, ‘Is it a stroke?
Is it a heart attack?’” Felder added. “But if they weren’t doing
CPR and his pulse was at least there and present and he’s
breathing, probably not a heart attack.”
Barcelos reportedly remains under medical supervision but has
addressed fans on social media, assuring them that he is doing
well.