18-year-old MMA prodigy Raul Rosas Jr. returned for his sophomore appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 287 on Saturday night. Four months removed from his first-round submission over Jay Perrin, ‘El Niño Problema’ looked to make it two-in-a-row against fellow Contender Series alumni Christian Rodriguez.
Round 1
Raul Rosas Jr. came out and immediately shot for a takedown, but Rodriguez defended well. Rosas Jr. put Rodriguez against the fence and worked furiously for a takedown, finally getting his man down 90 seconds into the bout. Rosas Jr. secures side control, but Rodriguez is able to scramble and secures side control for himself. Rosas Jr. works his way back up and quickly goes back to work trying to get the takedown. Rosas Jr. rides Rodriguez’s back and immediately begins fishing for a rear-naked choke. Rosas Jr. locks in the body triangle. Rodriguez fights the hands and breaks the hold. Rosas Jr. locks it in once again. Rodriguez drops to the ground and continues fighting the hands to free himself. Rodriguez managed to survive the round with Rosas Jr. in firm control.
Round 2
Raul Rosas Jr. came out quickly shooting once again. Rodriguez sprawls and ends up on top. Rosas Jr. gets back to his feet and presses Rodriguez against the fence. The two fighters break apart and return to the center. Rodriguez moves in with an attack and Rosas Jr. level changes, grabbing ahold of Rodriguez’s back. Rosas Jr. attempts to drag Rodriguez down but gives up top control against the fence. Rosas Jr. attempts to scramble, but Rodriguez is able to maintain top control. Rodriguez transitioned to the back of Rosas Jr. and slaps on the body triangle. Rodriguez maintains the position through the end of the second round.
Round 3
Raul Rosas Jr. opens the third with a solid right hand. Rodriguez responds with a couple of solid strikes of his own. Rosas Jr. shoots in, but Rodriguez easily defends. He shoots again and Rodriguez sprawls. He shoots once again and Rodriguez easily takes the back of Rosas Jr. Rodriguez flows over into mount and Rosas Jr. gives up his back. Rodriguez begins teeing off on Rosas Jr. Rodrigues locked in a body triangle and once again maintains the position until the end of the round.
Official Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Raul Rosas Jr. via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287 Below:
The youngest winner in UFC HISTORY is back for more!
Raul Rosas Jr. making his second career walk to the Octagon at #UFC287!
[ Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/UU0nUgr0j4 ] pic.twitter.com/h5idFHxuc2
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Christian Rodriguez gets it done! 👊@ceerod97 hands Raul Rosas Jr. his first career loss at #UFC287! pic.twitter.com/cmV9CkbirH
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Playing Christian Rodriguez beats Raul Rosas Jr. #UFC287 #ufcmiami round 3. pic.twitter.com/7rdkXda8NF
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) April 9, 2023