MEXICO CITY – Raul Rosas Jr. has toned down on the grandiose claims about his future going into UFC Fight Night 237, at least outwardly.
Rosas (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who at 19 is the youngest active fighter on the UFC roster, has previously stated that he’s going to be the youngest champion in company history and would eventually win belts in three different divisions over the course of his career.
Naturally, that came with a lot of backlash, especially when Rosas lost for the first time in his career against Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287 in April 2023. He rebounded from that with a 54-second TKO of Terrence Mitchell at Noche UFC in September, and now Rosas will attempt to string together consecutive wins for the first time on the UFC stage when he faces Ricky Turcios (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) on Saturday’s card, which takes place at Mexico City Arena (ESPN+).
Every win in a fighter’s career is important for setting up a brighter future, and Rosas is no different. He thinks this matchup against Turcios is crucial as it should lead to an even more significant opportunity with a win.
“I’m happy with this fight,” Rosas told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 237 media day. “He’s another prospect, as well. He’s an ‘Ultimate Fighter’ champion, so with this fight, winning this fight is going to take me big places.
“Whatever comes, I just know a lot of big things are going to come my way winning this fight on Saturday night.”
Rosas comes from a Mexican background, so his excitement for UFC Fight Night 237 in Mexico City is genuine. There are some challenges fighting there, though, especially with the elevation sitting at 7,350 feet.
He thinks he’s properly trained for the unique elements of this fight and said he’s ready to shine.
“I came (early) and adapted,” Rosas Jr. said. “But I don’t really think the elevation is going to effect much. If you’re well prepared, I feel like you’re ready for anything.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 237.
