Raul Rosas Jr. is aware of he’s prepared for ranked competitors however he’s additionally trusting within the UFC to do proper by him.
Following a win over Aoriqileng at UFC 306, the 19-year-old prospect instantly referred to as for a prime 15 opponent however that’s not a requirement. As a substitute, Rosas simply desires the possibility to propel his profession ahead with hopes that he’ll finally discover himself in title rivalry.
“If I’d have went on the market and acquired the end, I’d for positive have a great argument to get a prime 15 [opponent],” Rosas informed MMA Combating. “I need a prime 15 [opponent] but when my subsequent combat is just not in opposition to a prime 15 fighter, I need any individual that the UFC can be like ‘in case you beat this man, we’ll offer you a ranked opponent subsequent.’ However both manner, I wish to be that shut.
“I simply need fights that can get me nearer to the belt. I don’t wish to combat any individual that I’ll simply beat and I keep in the identical spot. I wish to beat any individual that can get me manner nearer to the belt.”
Rosas has lengthy said that he desires to grow to be UFC champion however he additionally acknowledges that he’s acquired loads of time to get there.
Whereas beating a ranked opponent would definitely velocity alongside that course of, Rosas realizes that there are many UFC veterans and not using a quantity subsequent to their title that also depend as a high quality win.
Going through a veteran like Aoriqileng with practically 40 fights on his report gave Rosas some priceless expertise however now he simply desires the possibility to step as much as the subsequent rung on the ladder on the subject of the hierarchy within the UFC’s bantamweight division.
“That’s the final word purpose,” Rosas mentioned about changing into UFC champion. “Regardless, I’m nonetheless getting extra skilled. Each combat I’m getting higher and higher.
“Like this combat, I took it as a strategy to get extra expertise as a result of it was a step up in competitors. He was the most effective fighter that I fought to this point. He was like a veteran, he was in a position to keep relaxed and he’s acquired energy in his palms, good takedown protection so it was a step up in competitors however the suitable step up. If I get one other combat like that, the suitable step up then I’ll take it.”
In relation to timing, Rosas admits that he would like to get yet another combat earlier than the top of the yr however he’s not able to decide to a date simply but with some lingering accidents that have to heal.
“I’m not 100% wholesome,” Rosas mentioned. “I’ve just a few accidents from the combat, I injured my knee a little bit bit. It’s getting higher. However I had accidents earlier than the combat and so they’re nonetheless tousled. I’m going to attempt to heal these up and as soon as I get healed up, I’ll guide a combat.
“I do wish to combat in December but when I guide it proper now, I don’t wish to threat to have to drag out as a result of I haven’t recovered. So I wish to ensure that I get well 100% after which I’ll guide a combat.”
If December doesn’t occur, Rosas revealed that he in all probability received’t combat once more till a minimum of April 2025 as a result of he desires to get pleasure from a while along with his household across the holidays. Like most youngsters his age, Rosas would actually love a Christmas break, particularly after lacking out this previous yr.
“I’ll be sincere, I don’t wish to combat January, February or March,” Rosas mentioned. “If I do get one in, I need it to be this yr or a little bit bit after March. As a result of I need to have the ability to get pleasure from Christmas.
“Final yr, I didn’t get to get pleasure from it as a result of I had a combat in February so I needed to prepare all December and January. Although the combat didn’t occur as a result of I acquired sick the day of the combat however I had been coaching since December. I’m not going to lie, it form of sucked so this yr I wish to get pleasure from Christmas.”
Rosas expects to know inside a pair weeks whether or not or not he’ll be wholesome sufficient to combat once more in 2024, particularly with a possible grappling match on the horizon in October.
“I’m already coaching,” Rosas mentioned. “I’m already in camp as a result of I feel I’ve an enormous grappling match arising, an enormous title, however clearly I can’t actually say [yet], nothing’s signed, nothing’s confirmed but however I acquired the provide and I mentioned sure. We’ll see if that goes by means of and that can occur Oct. 26.”
