Raul Rosas Jr. Gets First Five-Round Fight

Raul Rosas Jr. (12-1) will compete in a five-round fight for the first time in his pro career when he faces Raoni Barcelos (22-5) in the main event of UFC Vegas 121 on September 26.

Rosas, 21, became the youngest fighter signed by the UFC when he joined the promotion at 17 in 2022. He views the extended format as preparation for eventually competing in UFC championship fights.

“It’s different managing a five-round fight,” Rosas said. “It makes me more excited if it does go to the fourth and fifth round. Because I’m starting to get used to this as the championship fights are coming.”

Rosas won his UFC debut before suffering his first professional loss against Christian Rodriguez. He has since won five consecutive fights, most recently defeating Rob Font by unanimous decision.

Barcelos, the No.8-ranked bantamweight, enters the fight on a five-bout winning streak of his own, including victories over prospects Payton Talbott and Montel Jackson. Rosas said the Brazilian’s durability is another reason he welcomes the possibility of fighting into the later rounds.

A win over the No. 8-ranked Barcelos could put Rosas inside the UFC’s bantamweight top 10 for the first time in his career. Rosas has until June 2028 to achieve his stated goal of breaking Jon Jones’s record as the youngest champion in UFC history. Jones was 23 years and 242 days old when he won the light heavyweight title in 2011.

The Rosas vs. Barcelos bout headlines UFC Vegas 121 at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.