After Signing for the UFC at Age 17, Raul Rosas Jr Aims to Break a Record Held by Jon Jones for Over 11 Years
Dana White’s Contender Series has been a big hit for the world leader in MMA promotion. The concept was unveiled a few years ago and since then, it has been a brilliant platform for up-and-coming fighters to display their skills in front of the UFC audience before joining the UFC. A number of fighters have made a name for themselves on the contender series even before their first UFC fight. Sean O’Malley, Adrian Yanez and more recently Raul Rosas Jr are some good examples of the same.
17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. went the distance and got the victory!
What a performance 👏 pic.twitter.com/2M12UW7Tcv
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 21, 2022
Rosas Jr made history by becoming the youngest fighter to ever sign for the UFC after an impressive decision win on Dana White’s Contender Series. The 17-year-old faced Mando Gutierrez in a bantamweight bout and dominated the fight from the very first bell.
He nearly secured a finish in the first round itself with a rarely used Suloev stretch submission from back control. Apart from that, Rosas was in complete control of the fight and used his wrestling and grappling prowess to secure a win against someone who was eight years his senior.
🗣 “𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈’𝐦 𝟐𝟎”
This attitude will take Raul Rosas JR all the way to the top..#DWCS | #UFC pic.twitter.com/MYAnbIfUQD
— Ben Thomas (@Benfthomas_10) September 21, 2022
In the post-fight press conference Dana White shared his thoughts on Rosas. He said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. Not only that, the amount of fighters blowing me up saying you’re crazy not to (sign him). … He’s absolutely, positively talented. He’s special, he’s different.”
Raul Rosas Jr to break Jon Jones’ record in the UFC?
The record for the youngest fighter in to ever compete in the UFC is currently held by Dan Lauzon at 18 years, 198 days. Rosas Jr has 216 days in hand to break that record, which he will most likely be able to do.
This Suloev stretch attempt by Raul Rosas Jr. was naaaaasty 👀 #DWCS pic.twitter.com/P2SUoluoAu
— UFC (@ufc) September 21, 2022
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After earning himself a UFC contract, Rosas Jr shared what his ambitions were. He said, “Everybody shouldn’t be surprised. I’m the new king in here, so I’m coming for that belt now. … I’m gonna be champion when I’m 20. Respect to everybody, but I’m gonna be champion when I’m 20, or even earlier. Nobody is gonna stop me.” The record for the youngest ever UFC champion is currently held by Jon Jones who won the belt in 2011 when he was 23.
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