Only Months After Graduating High School, Raul Rosas Jr. Returns to the Octagon

Raul Rosas Jr. seeks to avenge his first loss in a bout this Saturday against Terrence Mitchell

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Raul Rosas Jr.: “I fixed my mistakes and I’m a lot more dangerous”

Raul Rosas Jr. enters a pivotal fight this weekend at UFC Fight Night against Terrence Mitchell. He is out to prove his last loss was an outlier–and not a blueprint on how to defeat him.

The youngest fighter in the UFC at 18 years old, Rosas looked exceptional in his debut bout last December against Jay Perrin. He won in the opening round with a neck crank, backing up his claim that he will become a factor in the middleweight division. But the hype train was derailed in April when he suffered his first-ever loss, getting outclassed by Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287.

Contents

1. Raul Rosas Jr.: “I fixed my mistakes and I’m a lot more dangerous”
2. Israel Adesanya had no answer for Sean Strickland

Rosas dominated the first round, nearly earning a finish in the catchweight bout (Rodriguez failed to make weight). He worked very hard for the clinch in the opening moments, and his pursuit of a takedown paid off 90 seconds into the round when he took Rodriguez’s back. Yet he was unable to apply full leverage of the choke for a submission, and that sequence turned out to be his only chance to win. The fight changed entirely in the second round, with Rodriguez controlling the pace for the next 10 minutes before winning by unanimous decision.

“He stayed calm and composed,” said Rosas (7-1). “He expected me to come at him hard, which I did, and then he took the last two rounds. I made a lot of mistakes, so I have a lot to prove on Saturday.”

A fatigued Rosas was vulnerable over the final two rounds of that bout. Clearly unfamiliar with the type of adversity that Rodriguez put in front of him, especially in their scrambles, Rosas was bullied to the ground and gave up control of his back, ultimately overwhelmed by Rodriguez’s ground and pound.

The setback allowed an opportunity for critics to note that his ascent manifested far too quickly, but Rosas believes he can mute that discussion with an impressive showing on Saturday.

“The only thing that loss changed was my record,” said Rosas. “I wanted to go undefeated, and that’s not going to happen, but I have a better game plan and a better strategy. The preparation for this fight was really good. A lot of adjustments were made.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done and a lot of goals to reach. I’m still chasing everything I set out to do. Saturday is a chance to prove I am who I say I am.”

If Rosas can readjust and emerge victorious, the setback against Rodriguez will be largely forgotten. But Mitchell (14-3) is also a dangerous opponent, and he is fighting to keep his UFC dream alive after a humbling loss in July against Cameron Saaiman.

“I fixed my mistakes and I’m a lot more dangerous,” said Rosas, who is only months removed from attending the senior prom. “I’m evolving. I just finished my senior year three months ago. But instead of going back to school, I’m going back to the Octagon.”

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Israel Adesanya had no answer for Sean Strickland

Israel Adesanya was simply outclassed by Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

Shockingly, Adesanya was never able to adjust to Strickland’s game plan. Once he was knocked down in the opening round, Strickland dominated the bout, controlling four of the five rounds.

Adesanya’s timing and rhythm were clearly thrown off by Strickland. Preventing Adesanya from using the calf kick was a major advantage, affecting Adesanya’s overall offensive output. That fight will now serve as a blueprint for how to defeat Adesanya, especially considering it was achieved in such masterful fashion.

Strickland was placed in the title bout after Dricus du Plessis wanted more time to prepare after fighting less than two months ago. That decision should not be held against him. Du Plessis looks to be the first challenger for Strickland, though a rematch against Jared Cannonier would also be compelling.

As for Adesanya, his next fight will be a title shot. But he should not rush back into the Octagon.