Eighteen-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. recently made it to the UFC’s list of top newcomers for 2022. ‘El Nino Problema’s rise to becoming the youngest fighter on the UFC roster has been nothing short of spectacular.
After making his professional debut in November 2021, Rosas Jr. racked up five finishes in as many fights within an extremely short span of time, earning a UFC call. The Mexican prospect dominated the 25-year-old Mando Gutierrez, who went in with a 7-1 record over the course of three rounds to earn the first decision win of his career and, subsequently a UFC contract.
Rosas Jr.’s wild five-fight finish streak under the banner of the Mexican fight league Ultimate Warriors Challenge (UWC) brought him to UFC notice. ‘El Nino Problema’ scored a first-round submission win over Eduardo Velázquez in his pro-MMA debut at UWC 30. The 18-year-old had to wait until March 2022 for his next fight, where he scored another submission win via armbar. Rosas Jr. went on to fight every month for the next three months, earning two submissions and a TKO win.
Raul Rosas Jr. confident of beating UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling after successful debut
Raul Rosas Jr. became the youngest fighter in history to compete inside the octagon when he took on Jay Perrin at UFC 282 in December. ‘El Nino Problema’ lived up to the hype behind him, scoring yet another first-round submission win over Perrin. UFC President Dana White was left highly impressed by the way the 18-year-old conducted himself on the big stage.
However, Rosas Jr.’s confidence might have been boosted too high for his own good after his successful UFC debut. The 18-year-old is currently focused on only one goal, i.e., becoming the youngest UFC champion. The Mexican newcomer is even confident that he can beat the current bantamweight titleholder, Aljamain Sterling, right now. Rosas Jr. said during an appearance on The MMA Hour:
“I don’t know what the plan is, but I hope they’re trying to fast track me because I’m ready. Like I said, if they offer me a fight for the UFC belt right now, I can not only go out there and win, but I can also finish whoever has the belt, which right now is Aljamain Sterling.”
Watch Raul Rosas Jr.’s appearance on The MMA Hour below: