UFC bantamweight Raoni Barcelos is getting a big step up in competition for his next fight.
An all-Brazilian bantamweight clash is on deck for the UFC’s February 27th card.
Sherdog reported that rising contender Raoni Barcelos will take on veteran Raphael Assuncao. No venue or location has been revealed for this show, but it’ll presumably be a Fight Night show on ESPN and/or ESPN+.
Barcelos (16-1) is a perfect 5-0 in the UFC and indeed unbeaten in his last nine. He’s coming off a Fight of the Night performance and decision victory over Khalid Taha at UFC Vegas 13 in November. Even with that impressive record, Barcelos remains unranked in the shark tank that is bantamweight, but a win over Assuncao would change that in a flash.
Assuncao (27-8) is on a three-fight losing streak but to top competition. He was submitted in the rematch vs. Marlon Moraes, dropped a decision to Cory Sandhagen, and most recently was decked by Cody Garbrandt at UFC 250. His last win came two years ago against Rob Font. Despite the current skid he’s still #9 in the UFC’s official rankings.
The main event for this card is expected to be a light heavyweight matchup between Dominick Reyes and Jiri Prochazka.