Report: Raoni Barcelos Steps In At UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo
Boston Salmon was left without an opponent for this month’s UFC Fight Sao Paulo card after Augusto Mendes suffered an injury while training.
However, a report from Combate is stating that former Resurrection Fighting Alliance Featherweight Champion Raoni Barcelos has agreed to step in on short notice to face Salmon at the event.
Barcelos (11-1-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this fight and he does so on the strength of a four fight winning streak. Barcelos became the RFA Featherweight Champion at RFA 29 in 2015, defeating Rocky Musgrave by unanimous decision. Barcelos is also returning to action for the first time in over a year, with his last bout coming against Dan Moret at RFA 45.
Salmon (6-1-0) earned a unanimous decision victory over Ricky Turcios on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series Episode 1. Salmon also won five of six fights during his time in the Resurrection Fight Alliance, but his last fight in the promotion was a loss to Zac Riley at RFA 43. Salmon did go undefeated during his three fight amateur MMA career, which includes two wins in the Tuff-N-Uff promotion.
UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo takes place on Saturday, October 28 from the Ibirapueroa Gymnasium with Lyoto Machida and Derek Brunson headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.