MMA Match Preview: Ricky Simon (22-6) vs. Raoni Barcelos (20-5)
Venue & Event Details
Event: UFC Vegas 111 – Bonfim vs. Brown
Location: UFC Apex, Enterprise (Las Vegas), Nevada
Start Time: Prelims begin 5:00 p.m. ET; Simon vs. Barcelos walkouts ~7:45 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ (USA), TNT Sports (UK)
Injury & Availability Report
Ricky Simon: No reported injuries; cleared after June 2025 win vs. Cameron Smotherman.
Raoni Barcelos: No reported injuries; healthy camp following June 2025 win vs. Cody Garbrandt.
Recent Form & Fight History
Ricky Simon
W vs. Cameron Smotherman (UD, June 2025)
W vs. Javid Basharat (KO, Feb 2025)
L vs. Song Yadong (KO, 2023)
Style: High-pressure wrestler with heavy ground-and-pound, mixes boxing entries with takedowns.
Raoni Barcelos
W vs. Cody Garbrandt (UD, June 2025)
W vs. Payton Talbott (UD, 2024)
W vs. Cristian Quinonez (SUB, 2024)
Style: Veteran striker with sharp boxing, improved grappling, and strong takedown defense.
Betting Trends
Simon has rebounded with two straight wins, showing KO power and grinding wrestling.
Barcelos has reinvented himself with three consecutive wins, including a statement victory over Garbrandt.
Market leans toward Simon due to wrestling dominance, but Barcelos’ striking volume and 85% takedown defense make him a live underdog.
Line movement has stabilized, with Simon holding ~58% implied win probability.
Key Takeaway
This is a classic wrestler vs. striker matchup: Simon brings relentless takedown pressure and cardio, while Barcelos offers veteran striking and elite takedown defense. Oddsmakers favor Simon, but Barcelos’ resurgence makes this a razor-close fight with upset potential.
FIGHT ODDS
Ricky Simon – 165
Raoni Barcelos + 145
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 7, 2025
