After a challenging first round, Raoni Barcelos rallied to defeat Montel Jackson via split decision at UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday. Jackson came close to a finish early in the fight, landing a high kick that put Barcelos on the canvas. He followed up with strikes on the ground, but Barcelos’ superior grappling allowed him to regain control, albeit with limited offensive output.
This control continued into the second round, where Barcelos achieved full mount with less than a minute remaining. As the round wound down, Barcelos secured Jackson’s back and applied a tight rear-naked choke. Despite the submission attempt, Jackson managed to survive until the bell and return to his corner.
Barcelos maintained control throughout the third round, accumulating significant clinch time and neutralizing Jackson’s offense. This dominance proved sufficient to sway the judges’ scorecards in his favor, securing him a hard-earned decision victory.
Official Result: Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
