Afrigather It’s properly documented that Raul Rosas Jr. is barely 18 years previous with a single combat within the UFC, however he’s already trash-talking like a seasoned veteran.
Forward of his combat towards Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287, which kicks off the pay-per-view primary 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 yr 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 combat? 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 mentioned 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 wish to be on the pay-per-view primary card,” Rosas mentioned 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 can be prelim fighters. I don’t wish to say names.”
There’s no blueprint on turning into a famous person; if that was the case, the UFC would have a roster crammed with fighters who draw big numbers on pay-per-view every month.
Due to his younger age, Rosas garnered a variety of consideration following his win on the UFC’s Contender Sequence adopted by his profitable octagon debut three months later, however he refuses to imagine 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 needs to acknowledge that truth or not.
“I didn’t [expect it to happen this quickly], however I’m not shocked,” Rosas mentioned. “Like I mentioned, this spot on the pay-per-view wasn’t given, it was earned. I earned it by means of all my exhausting work and simply all the things 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 all the time been his plan — even when it’s taking place a bit before anticipated.
“The one distinction is the celebrity, like being extra recognizable,” Rosas mentioned. “However I’m nonetheless the identical child chasing my goals. That’s just about it.
“Every little thing’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 combat towards Jay Perrin this previous December, Rosas has heard related statements from Rodriguez about their upcoming combat, particularly with regard 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 downside vanquishing Perrin and is much more excited to do the identical to Rodriguez.
“They’ll suppose no matter they need,” Rosas mentioned. “No matter will get their confidence greater, that’s higher for me, as a result of I noticed Christian Rodriguez combat and I count on him to be 10 occasions higher for this combat and nonetheless end him the identical approach.
“There’s nothing that considerations me. He’s a superb fighter however I’m simply ranges above, and I’m going to go on the market and present it Saturday evening. I take into consideration this combat, it is a good combat, as a result of if I’m not flawed, he’s a prospect too, and that’s precisely the combat I wanted. So I can present that I’m ranges above these prospects and I’m able to combat within the prime 15.”
Rosas added that ideally he wish to combat 4 occasions in 2023 as a result of he’s not fascinated about losing time as he stalks his aim to turn 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 moderately than later.
“I see myself profitable this combat on Saturday evening and profitable a minimum of one other three this yr, as a result of I wish to combat 4 occasions this yr a minimum of,” Rosas mentioned.
“I want it could possibly be extra, however a minimum of 4 occasions. Perhaps after this one and one other two [fights], I can begin preventing within the prime 15.”
