17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. is set to make UFC history as the youngest competitor to every step inside the Octagon.
First reported by ESPN Deportes, the undefeated Californian will make his promotional debut as part of the September 20th episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. If Rosas Jr. earns a contract, he will officially become the youngest fighter in UFC history. That record is currently held by featherweight Chase Hooper.
Per sources: 17 year old Raúl Rosas Jr. will fight Mando ‘El Toro’ Gutierrez at Dana White’s Contender Series on Sept. 20
Rosas is a 5-0 prospect with all of his pro fights in Mexican promotion @uwc_mexico
Vía @ESPNDeportes
— Carlos Contreras Legaspi 🦁 (@CCLegaspi) August 16, 2022
Turning pro after winning back-to-back fights as an amateur, Raul Rosas Jr. has had an impressive run thus far. In five fights, ‘El Niño Problema’ has remained undefeated, finishing all five opponents. Four via submission and one knockout in his most recent appearance. All five contests have taken place under the UWC promotion out of Mexico.
Scheduled to meet Rosas Jr. in the cage is Mando Gutierrez, a 7-1 fighter with six career finishes. His lone loss came against Mo Miller under the LFA banner. Gutierrez has also competed in Lights Out Championship, XFL and Total Warrior Combat.
How is The 17-Year-Old Raul Rosas Jr. Sanctioned to Fight?
One of the major questions surrounding Raul Rosas Jr.’s Octagon debut is how the 17-year-old was sanctioned to compete. Held at the APEX in Las Vegas, the Nevada State Athletic Commission typically requires licensed fighters to fall in the age range of 18-38.
However, NAC 467.017 of the NSAC provisions allows for special licenses to be granted for those outside the age range with special commission approval.
“If an applicant for a license to engage in unarmed combat or an unarmed combatant has … not reached 18 years of age … the applicant or unarmed combatant must have his or her application for a license or for renewal of a license reviewed by the Commission or, if time does not permit and no concerns about the application have been raised by the Executive Director or any Commissioner, reviewed by the Chair or the Chair’s designee, so that his or her qualifications may be considered before the license is issued or renewed.”
It’s unclear if the UFC has already resolved any potential issues with the NSAC prior to signing Rosas Jr. to compete.
