Although he is only 19 years old, Raul Rosas Jr. is expected to have a lot going for him.
“I’m ready to start my journey to get that belt,” Rosas Jr. said in a recent interview with UFC.com. “Give me the opportunity to fight someone who can get me to the top faster, that’s what I want.”
Rosas, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, will face Kiren Awoli in a bantamweight bout on Saturday night at UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Rosas has won three of his four Octagon appearances and is looking forward to facing a Chinese opponent.
“My opponent is strong, tough, durable and experienced, and I think highly of him,” said Rosas Jr. “I’m looking forward to stepping into the cage with him. I envisioned myself going out there and beating him in this fight. He certainly has good striking and power in his hands. He’s also dangerous, so it’s going to be a really good fight for the crowd.” [and]
“For us, it’s important. I know if I go out there to beat a guy like him, it’ll put me in a good position for my career.”
UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili airs Saturday at 10pm ET on ESPN+. Order now!
Rosas Jr. defeated Terrence Mitchell at UFC’s inaugural Noche event last year and has earned a spot in the UFC event at the Sphere in what promises to be a spectacular spectacle in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
“Definitely, the energy is going to be awesome because whoever makes it to the Sphere is really going to delight the people of Mexico,” said Rosas Jr. “They’re going to put on an amazing show. It’s just like a movie. I know people are going to be really excited and I can’t wait to see it.”
A win over Awoli would put Rosas Jr. one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal of a championship gold medal.
“I got the job done and I think good names will follow, ranked or not,” he said. “It’s a really good test, but as someone wins in the UFC, the fights get harder and harder. This Saturday, the level of the fight will increase. I feel like if I can go out there and beat him, good things will happen.”
