It’s official. Raul Rosas Jr. will become the youngest fighter to compete in the UFC.
Rosas Jr. (6-0) is set to make his UFC debut against Jay Perrin (10-6) at UFC 282 on Dec. 10 in Las Vegas. Rosas’ representative agency, Iridium Sports, announced the news on social media.
Last month, Rosas became the youngest fighter to win a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series when he defeated Mando Gutierrez (7-1) via unanimous decision. Rosas was just 17 at the time of that fight. He celebrated his 18th birthday on Oct. 8.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said UFC president Dana White, as he signed Rosas. “The amount of fighters blowing me up saying, ‘You’re crazy not to [sign him].’ … He’s special.”
According to UFC Stats and Info, Dan Lauzon currently holds the record as the youngest fighter to ever compete in the Octagon (18 years, 198 days). He made his UFC debut in January 2010. Rosas will comfortably beat that mark, as long as the fight stays together on Dec. 10.
Rosas was born in Mexico and now fights out of California. Perrin, 29, is 0-2 since signing with the UFC earlier this year. He has fought professionally since 2014.