A 17-year-old kicked butt in a UFC audition and is now the youngest fighter the company's ever had

Alan DawsonSep 22, 2022, 02:03 IST

Raul Rosas Jr. wins Contender Series fight.Photo by Getty Images

17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. broke ground, becoming the UFC's youngest ever signing.
Rosas won a wild fight by decision Tuesday to earn a UFC contract from boss Dana White.

This is 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., who had been handed a rare opportunity to fight an adult in front of Dana White on the penultimate episode from season six of Contender Series.

Raul Rosas Jr. prepares for his Contender Series bow.Photo by Getty Images

This is 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., who had been handed a rare opportunity to fight an adult in front of Dana White on the penultimate episode from season six of Contender Series.

The Contender Series provides White with an outlet to identify up-and-coming talent he wants to funnel into the UFC. You don't just need to win to earn a UFC deal, you have to do so in impressive fashion.

Contender Series studio.Photo by Getty Images

The Contender Series provides White with an outlet to identify up-and-coming talent he wants to funnel into the UFC. You don't just need to win to earn a UFC deal, you have to do so in impressive fashion.

Rosas joins nine other athletes hoping to succeed on the Contender Series, a weekly promotion that finishes airing Tuesday, September 27.

Jafel Filho was the first to walk into the Octagon.Photo by Getty Images

Jafel Filho scored a thumping knockout to kick off the action.

Jafel Filho won on Contender Series.Photo by Getty Images

The finish was so good that three of the UFC's most powerful people — Sean Shelby, Dana White, and Mick Maynard — looked speechless Octagonside.

Sean Shelby, Dana White, and Mick Maynard.Photo by Getty Images

In the second fight of the night, Nurullo Aliev made it two finishes from two, with a first-round knockout over Josh Wick.

Nurullo Aliev beat Josh Wick in round one.Photo by Getty Images

Up next was Austen Lane against Richard Jacobi, a fight which got off to a nasty start due to one of the most brutal low blows you'll see all year.

Austen Lane kicks Richard Jacobi at heavyweight.Photo by Getty Images

Former NFL defensive end Austen Lane maintained the Contender Series run of early finishes by putting Jacobi away in the first round.

Austen Lane finished Richard Jacobi in the first.Photo by Getty Images

Then it was time for Raul Rosas Jr.'s Contender Series bow — a fighter who had captivated a lot of pre-event attention because he is just 17 years old.

Raul Rosas Jr. makes his Contender Series bow.Photo by Getty Images

Considering his age, Rosas looked impressive in a three-round decision win against Mando Gutierrez at the Apex in Las Vegas.

Raul Rosas Jr. looked good for a teenage fighter.Photo by Getty Images

In the final fight of the evening, Bruno Ferreira defeated Leon Aliu with another first-round knockout.

Brunno Ferreira.Photo by Getty Images

Ultimately, White liked what he saw enough during Tuesday's auditions that he rewarded all five winners with UFC contracts — including the 17-year-old Rosas.

Dana White, UFC boss.Photo by Getty Images

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A 17-year-old kicked butt in a UFC audition and is now the youngest fighter the company's ever had

This is 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr., who had been handed a rare opportunity to fight an adult in front of Dana White on the penultimate episode from season six of Contender Series.

The Contender Series provides White with an outlet to identify up-and-coming talent he wants to funnel into the UFC. You don't just need to win to earn a UFC deal, you have to do so in impressive fashion.

Rosas joins nine other athletes hoping to succeed on the Contender Series, a weekly promotion that finishes airing Tuesday, September 27.

Jafel Filho scored a thumping knockout to kick off the action.

The finish was so good that three of the UFC's most powerful people — Sean Shelby, Dana White, and Mick Maynard — looked speechless Octagonside.

In the second fight of the night, Nurullo Aliev made it two finishes from two, with a first-round knockout over Josh Wick.

Up next was Austen Lane against Richard Jacobi, a fight which got off to a nasty start due to one of the most brutal low blows you'll see all year.

Former NFL defensive end Austen Lane maintained the Contender Series run of early finishes by putting Jacobi away in the first round.

Then it was time for Raul Rosas Jr.'s Contender Series bow — a fighter who had captivated a lot of pre-event attention because he is just 17 years old.

Considering his age, Rosas looked impressive in a three-round decision win against Mando Gutierrez at the Apex in Las Vegas.

In the final fight of the evening, Bruno Ferreira defeated Leon Aliu with another first-round knockout.

Ultimately, White liked what he saw enough during Tuesday's auditions that he rewarded all five winners with UFC contracts — including the 17-year-old Rosas.