20-year-old MMA phenom Raul Rosas Jr. returned to the Octagon on Saturday night for a clash with Vince Morales at UFC Mexico.
Coming off a trio of victories over Terrance Mitchell, Ricky Turcios, and Aoriqileng, Rosas Jr. looked to add another big win to his resume against the 25-fight veteran from Ontario, Oregon. Fighting just six weeks ago at Fight Night in Las Vegas, Morales stepped back inside the cage determined to climb back into the win column and snap a two-fight losing skid in enemy territory.
Round 1
Rosas starts things off with a stick front kick to the midsection of Morales. Rosas shoots for a takedown about 30 seconds in, but quickly gives up on it. Rosas connects with a combination, backing Morales against the fence. That allows Rosas to shoot in for another takedown. This time, Rosas picks Morales up off the ground and slams him back down in the center of the Octagon. Rosas works his way into side control and tries to pass into full mount but Morales is defending well.
With two minutes to go in the round, Rosas takes Morales’ back, but can’t get both hooks in. With less than a minute to go, Morales manages to scramble his way out and gets on top. Morales looks for a d’arce choke, but with only 10 seconds left, he doesn’t have enough time to cinch it in. Still, the round ends with Morales in a dominant position, though he undoubtedly lost the round.
Round 2
Morales lands a nice jab to open the round. Rosas looks to fire back with a left. Rosas lands a calf kick. Morales responds with a stiff right hand that connects. Morales connects with a leg kick and that prompts Rosas to move in for a takedown. Rosas gets Morales to the mat against the fence, but Morales gets back to his feet. Rosas muscles him right back down. Rosas once again takes Morales’ back and triangles his left leg to keep him from reversing the position, as he did in the first round.
Unfortunately for Morales, he was never able to get back to his feet or reverse the position, likely giving Rosas another round on the scorecards.
Round
Morales comes out looking to land early, and Rosas tries to shoot for a takedown. Morales defends and sneaks in another d’arce choke. This time, Morales has plenty of time to cinch it in, but Rosas escapes with just over three minutes left in the round and gets into side control. Rosas lands a nice elbow to the side of Morales’ head.
Morales tries to roll through once again, but Rosas takes his back. Morales climbs back up to his feet, but Rosas tackles him back to the mat and looks to maintain control with 90 seconds to go. With time ticking down, Morales uses the fence to get back up and looks for an anaconda choke. Rosas gives a thumbs up as the final seconds run off the clock.
Official Result: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Vince Morales at UFC Mexico:
Raul Rosas Jr. survived the choke hold 😲 #UFCMexicopic.twitter.com/1Wa44sggD5
— MMA.Done (@MMADoneee) March 30, 2025
What a warrior! Raul Rosas Jr. throws a thumbs up to end the fight! #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/WFBo3O454B
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 30, 2025
4 in a ROW 👏
Raul Rosas Jr. keeps his win streak alive with a UD at #UFCMexico! pic.twitter.com/uuamoVPwjF
— UFC (@ufc) March 30, 2025
