It’s properly documented that Raul Rosas Jr. is simply 18 years outdated with a single struggle within the UFC, however he’s already trash-talking like a seasoned veteran.
Forward of his struggle in opposition to Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287, which kicks off the pay-per-view principal card, Rosas responded to criticism he’s confronted about receiving such a high-profile alternative from the UFC whereas ranked fighters and veterans with vastly extra expertise aren’t getting the identical consideration. Particularly, Chris Curtis took exception, saying he was “salty as f***” that he obtained bumped all the way down to the prelims “for a kid.”
Not gonna lie, that bout order is totally fucked. Probably the greatest playing cards of the 12 months and I get bounced from the principle card for a kid? I fought on quick discover. Have tackle whoever and gone 4-1 to get ranked and I get bounced for a child with one struggle? Yeah I am salty as fuck https://t.co/K9tgnZ28Jl
— Chris Curtis The Motion Man (@Actionman513) February 23, 2023
Rosas didn’t point out anyone’s identify whereas firing again on Wednesday, however he definitely didn’t chew his tongue both.
“I don’t know who stated that, however on the finish of the day, they’re all simply hating and they need to take some notes in the event that they need to be on the pay-per-view principal card,” Rosas stated at UFC 287 media day. “They need to take some notes and study some stuff from me.
“I obtained within the UFC and I’m already on the pay-per-view, not like different ranked fighters which are prelim fighters. I don’t need to say names.”
There’s no blueprint on changing into a celebrity; if that was the case, the UFC would have a roster full of fighters who draw large numbers on pay-per-view every month.
Due to his younger age, Rosas garnered a number of consideration following his win on the UFC’s Contender Collection adopted by his profitable octagon debut three months later, however he refuses to consider luck or fortune performed any half within the highway he’s paved up to now.
Rosas is aware of he labored exhausting to get the place he’s, whether or not anyone desires to acknowledge that truth or not.
“I didn’t [expect it to happen this quickly], however I’m not stunned,” Rosas stated. “Like I stated, this spot on the pay-per-view wasn’t given, it was earned. I earned it via all my exhausting work and simply every part I do.
“I believe I’m a pay-per-view fighter and I’m an ideal fighter to open up this pay-per-view card, as a result of not solely am I fighter, I’m a showman, a performer, and I’m going to go on the market and placed on a present and get the individuals turned up for the remainder of the cardboard.”
Rosas remains to be getting acclimated to his new actuality, however this has at all times been his plan — even when it’s occurring a little bit ahead of anticipated.
“The one distinction is the celebrity, like being extra recognizable,” Rosas stated. “However I’m nonetheless the identical child chasing my desires. That’s just about it.
“The whole lot’s been precisely how I deliberate it. Precisely how I visualized it’s simply coming into actuality, precisely how I did.”
Very like his final struggle in opposition to Jay Perrin this previous December, Rosas has heard comparable statements from Rodriguez about their upcoming struggle, particularly with reference to his ability set and the notion that each one of this can be an excessive amount of, too quickly.
None of that appears to matter a lot to Rosas, who had no drawback vanquishing Perrin and is much more excited to do the identical to Rodriguez.
“They will assume no matter they need,” Rosas stated. “No matter will get their confidence increased, that’s higher for me, as a result of I noticed Christian Rodriguez struggle and I anticipate him to be 10 occasions higher for this struggle and nonetheless end him the identical means.
“There’s nothing that issues me. He’s a very good fighter however I’m simply ranges above, and I’m going to go on the market and present it Saturday night time. I take into consideration this struggle, this can be a excellent struggle, as a result of if I’m not flawed, he’s a prospect too, and that’s precisely the struggle I wanted. So I can present that I’m ranges above these prospects and I’m able to struggle within the high 15.”
Rosas added that ideally he want to struggle 4 occasions in 2023 as a result of he’s not fascinated with losing time as he stalks his objective to develop into UFC champion.
He’s not calling his shot simply but, however Rosas can already see a future the place he’s knocking on the door to title competition sooner relatively than later.
“I see myself profitable this struggle on Saturday night time and profitable at the least one other three this 12 months, as a result of I need to struggle 4 occasions this 12 months at the least,” Rosas stated.
“I want it might be extra, however at the least 4 occasions. Possibly after this one and one other two [fights], I can begin combating within the high 15.”
