By Murdo Todd
Former IMMAF Youth World Champion Raul Rosas Jr. came away with the biggest win of his pro career at UFC 326, overcoming perennial contender Rob Font via unanimous decision.
At just 21 years old, Rosas Jr. is now 6-1 in the UFC and riding a five-fight winning streak after dropping a contest to Christian Rodriguez early in his UFC run. The Californian was tipped as an up-and-comer after signing with the UFC at just 17 years old. He would go on to earn his first win in the promotion two months on from his 18th birthday.
The rising prospect has continued to mature his game under the bright lights, refusing to fold under the ever-increasing pressure, and has displayed the skills of someone 10 years his senior. Rosas Jr has also managed to secure three performance of the night bonuses across his seven UFC fights.
Now Rosas Jr. is set to join the talent-stacked bantamweight top-15 after defeating No.13 ranked Font, who was the elder of the bout by 17 years. He will join fellow IMMAF alumni such as Brendan Allen, Manon Fiorot and Shamil Gaziev in the rankings.
‘El Nino Problema’ also represents a new age of young Pan-American talent that continues to rise to the top of the amateur and professional rankings.
As an amateur, Rosas Jr. represented Team USA at the 2019 Youth World Championships, where he would win gold. This helped develop the experience that Rosas Jr. has needed for such a quick move through the ranks, with just a 13-month gap between his professional and UFC debuts.
If Rosas Jr. continues on his current trajectory, a shot at UFC gold is more than a realistic scenario.
