Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Raoni Barcelos and Khalid Taha faced off in a Bantamweight clash tonight (Sat., Nov. 7, 2020) at UFC Vegas 13 from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following an excellent performance, Barcelos earned the decision nod.
Barcelos opened with a big front kick to the chest. Barcelos knocked his foe down with a low kick. The two men traded left hooks, then Barcelos knocked down his foe with another calf kick. Clean right hand scored for Barcelos, and he went on the offensive! The Brazilian ripped an extended combination, doing real damage, but Taha did finish the trade with a clean strike of his own. Barcelos then took his foe down and immediately passed guard. Barcelos jumped the back and nearly sunk in the choke immediately. Taha managed to defend and spin into top position with 90 seconds remaining. Barcelos attacked an armbar and used it to stand up. Taha landed some good shots in the clinch. Another chopping calf kick hurt Taha, and Barcelos finished the round with some clean punches.
Barcelos attacked the lead leg to begin the second round. Barcelos connected on a clean left hook. Jump knee to the body landed hard for Barcelos. Barcelos stuck a front kick, and Taha fired back some jabs. Barcelos scored with an intercepting knee and 1-2. Barcelos worked the mid-section with kicks. Check hook landed hard for the Brazilian. Barcelos connected with a right then landed another calf kick. Taha put together a combo and glanced with a right, but most of his power shots were hitting arms. Barcelos turned it up, ripping a multi-level combo. Taha absorbed a hard knee to the jaw, and Barcelos swarmed. The German was hurt bad, but he survived the round.
Barcelos started the final frame fast, firing kicks and finding a home for his left hook. Within 30 seconds, Taha was on the defensive and seemingly hurt. Barcelos scored another takedown and took the back. Taha turned his back to mat and gave up half guard. Barcelos dropped some mean strikes from top position, but Taha used a heel hook attempt to stand. Barcelos left hand continued to connect back on the feet. Taha landed a solid overhand. Barcelos kicked the calf, absorbed a left hook. Heavy right hand punished the jaw of Taha. Barcelos did good work with the kicks and jabs as his foe searched for the knockout. Taha dove into a double leg takedown in the final seconds, but it didn’t happen. The two brawled to the final bell!
Wow, this was a simply tremendous performance by Barcelos, who deserves a major step up in competition. He was better everywhere, but Taha did not quit at any point.
Prediction: Raoni Barcelos defeats Khalid Taha via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For complete UFC Vegas 13: “Santos vs. Teixeira” results and play-by-play, click HERE!