This weekโs edition ofย Dana Whiteโs Contender Seriesย saw 17-year old Raul Rosas Jr. awarded with aย UFCย contract. If he makes his debut in the near future, heโll become the youngest fighter in UFC history.
The new youngest fighter in UFC history! Welcome to the roster Raul Rosas Jr. ๐ #DWCS pic.twitter.com/tORtYkCdv9
— UFC (@ufc) September 21, 2022
Over the years, a number of fighters have debuted in the UFC at a young age, with some going onto huge success and others not so much.
Which way will Raul Rosas Jr. go? Only time will tell, but at just 17 years old, itโs clear heโs got plenty of time to make an impact in the UFC. If nothing else, heโs got big footsteps to follow in.
Here are the five youngest fighters in UFC history.
Note that the youngest fighter in the UFC was American Chase Hooper, who was 19 years old in 2019. In the history of mixed martial arts, it was unheard of for a 17-year-old to fight professionally in the UFC.
However, the exception is with Rosas who is very familiar with the sport.
It is noted that he hit adult fighters for as long as physically possible. His achievement changed the unwritten rule in Mexico about what “kids” could achieve in MMA.
โThen the other amateurs fought when I was 16. Then I made my career debut when I was 17.โ โI fight guys who are in their 30s. The oldest fighter I fought is 33 or 34 years old, and the youngest is 25 or 26 years old.โ
Rosas and his team had to go through many obstacles to obtain verbal approval from government officials. They must apply for a special license with the consent of the sponsor and their parents. โThe committee approved it. I signed all the documents. All I have to do is document.
My friend signed it. This is the only thing I have to do.โ Rosas has so far set a 5-0 record since turning professional. All the victories he got made the doubts about him to duel in the UFC faded. Rosas insists that those who doubt her are those who do not realize that she is not like the typical 17-year-old. โI don’t think these guys know much about fighting. They just saw a 17-year-old.โ
โI am different from (others) 17-year-olds. When they’re at parties, when they’re on summer vacation, I’m at the game, and I work hard.” โSince childhood, I know what I want. I know what I want and I have to get it. For skeptics, I don’t really care. They can say whatever they want.”
