Nineteen-year-old bantamweight sensation Raul Rosas Jr. (9-1) defeated Qileng Aori (25-11, 1 NC) by way of unanimous decision in the first-ever fight at Las Vegas, Nev.’s The Sphere venue to kick off UFC 306: Noche UFC on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Despite his youth, Rosas has already left his mark in the Octagon, securing four wins, all by finishes, since his UFC debut at 18.
The prodigy made his historic debut at UFC 282, where he submitted Jay Perrin in the first round. However, much of Rosas Jr.’s success is rooted in his family—especially his father, Raul Rosas Sr., who inspired his son to pursue MMA. Rosas Sr. started training after being bullied as a child in Mexico and eventually moved to the U.S. for a fresh start. He now coaches both Raul Jr. and his brother Jessie.
The young fighter’s career ambitions remain sky-high, but Rosas Jr. also acknowledges the sacrifices made by his family to support his dreams. After his UFC 282 win, he famously requested a post-fight bonus, saying, “I need them 50G’s so I can buy my mother a minivan.”
How soon will we see Rosas reach his ultimate goal of UFC gold? Let us know your thoughts on the rising star in the comments below.
