Raul Rosas Jr. has officially entered the UFC ring. At the age of 17, Rosas Jr. is the youngest fighter to ever join the UFC. Rosas, “El Niño Problema” (the problem child) Rosas Jr. defeated 25-year-old Mando Gutierrez by unanimous decision on Tuesday night.
UFC boss Dana White said he was “blown away” by Rosas Jr. and immediately offered him a contract to compete in the UFC.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” White said to ESPN. “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.”
Mexican-born Rosas Jr., who trains out of Las Vegas and lives in California, turns 18 in October. And he was not short of confidence. “I knew I was gonna get that contract,” Rosas Jr. said to ESPN. “I’ve been saying it since the beginning. Since I was born, I knew this was gonna happen.”
Rosas Jr. has his sights set high. He wants to win championships and become the youngest person to do it.
“Everybody shouldn’t be surprised,” Rosas Jr. said. “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 youngest UFC champion was Jon Jones who did so at the age of 23 in 2011. Raul Rosas Jr. has five years to complete his goal.