- Raul Rosas Jr. is the newest combatant in UFC history.
- Rosas increased his unbeaten run to 6-0.
- Mexican had made his amateur debut at the age of 15.
The youngest fighter in UFC history, 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., won the Contender Series and received a contract.
After dominating Mando Gutierrez, 25, over the course of three rounds with his grappling maneuvers, Rosas increased his unbeaten run to 6-0.
Rosas had only ever won via submission prior to the match with Gutierrez; the Mexican had made his amateur debut at the age of 15. The previous record was held by Chase Hooper, a former Contender Series contender who signed a contract with the UFC at the age of 18. Rosas has now broken that mark.
Rosas stunned UFC president Dana White by almost finishing Gutierrez in the opening frame with a devastating Suloev stretch submission, but he also consistently showed off exceptional striking prowess throughout the fight.
He declared after winning, “I knew I was going to get that deal. I have said it from the beginning. I’ve known this was going to happen from the day I was born. Nobody needs to be startled. I’m here as the new king, and I’m coming for that belt right now. At age 20, I’m going to win a championship.
Rosas has five years to break the UFC record for the youngest champion ever when he turns 18 on October 8. Currently, former No. 1 in the pound-for-pound rankings Jon Jones holds the record.
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