Prediction: Raoni Barcelos inside the distance
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Barcelos is just smooth in every area. Striking, grappling, transitions—he doesn’t rush anything, but once he finds his groove, the pace starts ramping, and he becomes a problem everywhere. Yeah, Garbrandt is fast, scary fast—but timing beats speed, and that’s where Barcelos thrives. He’s calculated, reads his opponents well, and doesn’t bite on feints or wild blitzes. He stays patient, finds his moment, and then turns it on.
Now if Garbrandt had leaned into his wrestling earlier in his career, maybe we’d be looking at a different version of him. But now he’s matched up with a Brazilian national wrestling champ and a coral belt in jiu jitsu—which, for anyone who doesn’t know, is basically elite-of-the-elite when it comes to BJJ rank. So if Cody tries to shoot? He’s getting stuffed, reversed, or strangled. If it hits the mat at all, Barcelos is in full control.
And that’s really the cleanest path here—Barcelos using that high-level jiu jitsu to shut down the chaos. Garbrandt has struggled against composed grapplers who know how to use control and submission threats. Barcelos is exactly the type of guy who will punish every mistakes. Expect Barcelos to let Cody explode early, avoid the storm, then drag him into deep waters where he’s got zero survival tools.
Submission win? Very live. And the price right now (+500) makes this one of those bets you have to hit before it’s gone. Barcelos is too well-rounded, too composed, and too dangerous in all the places Cody’s vulnerable. It might look competitive for the first minute—but after that, it’s a wrap.