Moment! UFC' Youngest Ever Fighter Raul Rosas Jr Looked to Rebound after Suffering First Loss
- 8 months ago
Raul Rosas Jr enjoyed a spectacular return to the win column in front of a baying crowd at UFC Noche on Saturday.
The Mexican-American bantamweight first gained notoriety for his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series last year, defeating Mando Gutierrez aged just 17 to become the youngest fighter ever to earn a contract with the UFC.
Rosas followed that up with a successful Octagon debut at UFC 282 in December, defeating Jay Perrin via first-round submission to earn a $50,000 performance bonus.
The now 18-year-old's momentum was momentarily halted, however, as he suffered his first career defeat as a professional in April, dropping a decision to Christian Rodriguez in Miami Florida.
A main card spot on Saturday's UFC card headlined by the rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko offered Rosas the opportunity to rebound from the loss.
Facing 14-3 Terrance Mitchell, Rosas wasted little time in asserting himself inside the Octagon, landing a counter left-hand early in the opening round to drop the Alaskan to the canvas.
Following his opponent down to the mat, Rosas continued to rain down punches on Mitchell before eventually securing the mount and continuing his barrage of strikes.
Referee Marc Smith gave Mitchell ample opportunity to improve his position but was forced to step in as the onslaught continued, awarding Rosas his first TKO win in the UFC after just 54 seconds of the first round.
The performance serves as yet another glimpse of the teenager's massive potential inside the Octagon, and following the fight he was awarded his second UFC performance bonus from Dana White.
The Mexican-American bantamweight first gained notoriety for his appearance on Dana White's Contender Series last year, defeating Mando Gutierrez aged just 17 to become the youngest fighter ever to earn a contract with the UFC.
Rosas followed that up with a successful Octagon debut at UFC 282 in December, defeating Jay Perrin via first-round submission to earn a $50,000 performance bonus.
The now 18-year-old's momentum was momentarily halted, however, as he suffered his first career defeat as a professional in April, dropping a decision to Christian Rodriguez in Miami Florida.
A main card spot on Saturday's UFC card headlined by the rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko offered Rosas the opportunity to rebound from the loss.
Facing 14-3 Terrance Mitchell, Rosas wasted little time in asserting himself inside the Octagon, landing a counter left-hand early in the opening round to drop the Alaskan to the canvas.
Following his opponent down to the mat, Rosas continued to rain down punches on Mitchell before eventually securing the mount and continuing his barrage of strikes.
Referee Marc Smith gave Mitchell ample opportunity to improve his position but was forced to step in as the onslaught continued, awarding Rosas his first TKO win in the UFC after just 54 seconds of the first round.
The performance serves as yet another glimpse of the teenager's massive potential inside the Octagon, and following the fight he was awarded his second UFC performance bonus from Dana White.