Raul Rosas Jr. got the attention of UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling after his record-breaking debut on Saturday night.
‘El Nino Problema’ scored a first-round submission over opponent Jay Perrin in the featured prelim at UFC 282. With the win, Rosas Jr. became the youngest fighter to both debut and earn a victory inside the Octagon. Following his win, Rosas Jr. exclaimed that he was coming for the 135-pound title.
“Right now, tonight, I just tried to introduce myself, because I’m coming for that belt. Woooo!”
Rosas Jr. followed up on his comments Monday during an appearance on ‘The MMA Hour‘ with Ariel Helwani.
“Like, I said, I’m not saying stuff just to say it,” Rosas Jr. told Helwani. “Like everything I say is true, and like, people don’t believe in me. But I believe in myself. And I’m just out there and proving it. Like, that’s probably not going to happen [a fight with Aljamain Sterling next], because people don’t know if I could actually really do that [beat him]. I know I can, so I’m just staying active, I’m gonna keep finishing everybody in an impressive way. And show everybody I’m ready to go for that title.”
Aljamain Sterling Delivers Amusing Response to Raul Rosas Jr.
Those comments didn’t slip past the reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling who delivered a sarcastic response to the news story on Twitter.
“They should make that fight next. I really think that Rosas will fu*k him up! I heard Cejudos out and Rosas is in.”
They should make that fight next. I really think that Rosas will fu*k him up! I heard Cejudos out and Rosas is in. https://t.co/rSbA6EIzUu
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 13, 2022
Aljamain Sterling is slated to defend his bantamweight crown against former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in 2023. It will be the first time Cejudo steps into the Octagon since retiring from the sport in 2020. Waiting in the wings is No. 1 ranked bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley who is expected to challenge the winner. O’Malley earned the No. 1 ranking with a somewhat controversial win over former titleholder Petr Yan at UFC 280.
As for Raul Rosas Jr., he could find himself with a fairly quick turnaround given the short nature of his UFC 282 bout, but it’s safe to say it won’t be against ‘Funk Master’ anytime soon.
Raul Rosas Jr.'s family reacting to his debut win at #UFC282 is everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Xw2Pq7VGi6
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 11, 2022
