Raul Rosas Jr. is a Mexican-American professional mixed martial artist whose name entered the history books before he was old enough to vote. Fighting under the nickname “El Niño Problema” — Spanish for “The Problem Child” — Rosas Jr. became the youngest athlete ever signed to the UFC when he earned a contract at just 17 years, 11 months, and 12 days old. His rise has been one of the most talked-about stories in modern mixed martial arts, not only because of the record he broke, but because of the fearless, pressure-heavy fighting style he brings into the octagon every time.
Competing in the UFC’s bantamweight division, Rosas Jr. combines relentless wrestling, smothering clinch work, and sharp submissions into a freestyle game that has troubled opponents far more experienced than him. Training out of Rosas Brothers MMA in Las Vegas, he has steadily climbed the rankings, earning a Performance of the Night bonus on his UFC debut and headlining his first UFC event in September 2026. Below is a full look at his life, career, and what comes next for “El Niño Problema.”
Raul Rosas Jr Wiki and Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Raúl Gilberto Rosas Rios Jr. |
| Nickname | “El Niño Problema” (The Problem Child) |
| Date of Birth | 8 October 2004 |
| Age | 22 years (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Clovis, New Mexico, United States |
| Nationality | American and Mexican |
| Ethnicity | Mexican descent |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Profession | Professional mixed martial artist (UFC bantamweight) |
| Years Active | 2021–present |
| Girlfriend / Relationship Status | Single — no public girlfriend; keeps his private life out of the spotlight |
Raul Rosas Jr. was born on 8 October 2004 in Clovis, New Mexico, to a Mexican family, and was raised between two cultures that both claim him proudly. He holds American and Mexican nationality and is of Mexican descent, often representing both flags with equal pride on his walk to the cage. Drawn to combat sports from childhood, he developed a grappling base that became the foundation of his professional game — and by 17, he had already decided his sights were set on the UFC.
Raul Rosas Jr Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Eye Color | Not publicly documented |
| Hair Color | Dark brown / black |
| Build | Athletic bantamweight; lean, wiry frame built for speed and endurance |
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and competing at 135 pounds, Raul Rosas Jr. carries a long, lean frame that gives him a noticeable size advantage over many bantamweights. With a 67-inch reach and a southpaw stance, he is comfortable fighting at range or crashing into the clinch, where his wrestling takes over. His style is not built on one-punch knockout power but on pressure, pace, and relentless grappling — he drags opponents into deep water, wears them down with clinch pressure and takedowns, and hunts for submissions.
Raul Rosas Jr Career
| Attribute | Details |
| Profession | Professional mixed martial artist |
| Career Started | November 2021 (professional debut) |
| Known For | Youngest UFC signee in history; relentless wrestling and submission game |
| Team | Rosas Brothers MMA, Las Vegas |
| MMA Record | 13 wins, 1 loss (3 by knockout, 6 by submission, 4 by decision) |
| Division Ranking | #8 in the UFC bantamweight division (as of September 2026) |
| Milestones | UFC contract at 17 via Dana White’s Contender Series (Sept 2022); UFC debut win and Performance of the Night at UFC 282 (Dec 2022); first UFC headline bout vs Raoni Barcelos (Sept 2026) |
Rosas Jr. made his professional MMA debut in November 2021 with UWC Mexico, submitting Eduardo Velazquez and announcing himself as a genuine prospect at just 17 years old. He stayed busy on the regional circuit, piling up wins and finishes, before the opportunity that changed everything arrived: a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2022. There, he outworked Mando Gutierrez over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision — and with it, a UFC contract. At 17 years, 11 months, and 12 days old, he became the youngest athlete ever signed to the UFC, a record that made headlines around the world.
His UFC debut came at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022 against Jay Perrin. Rather than showing nerves, Rosas Jr. fought like a seasoned veteran, taking Perrin down at will and finishing him with a rear-naked choke in the first round. The performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and confirmed that the hype was real. Over the following years he steadily developed his striking to complement his grappling, earning his first-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt along the way.
By 2026, Rosas Jr. had grown from teenage sensation into a legitimate top-ten contender. The crowning moment so far came on 26 September 2026, when he headlined UFC Fight Night Las Vegas against veteran Raoni Barcelos — finishing him by knockout via slam in the fifth round, showing a finishing dimension even his supporters had not fully seen. The win pushed his record to 13–1 and lifted him to #8 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
What makes Rosas Jr. unusual is not just his age but his maturity as a fighter. His game is built on wrestling, clinch pressure, and submissions — a style that demands patience — yet he executes it with the confidence of someone twice his experience. As of October 2026, his next chapter takes an unexpected turn: he is scheduled to make his Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling debut against veteran Clay Guida on 28 November 2026, a move that nods to his grappling roots while keeping him active between UFC bouts.
Raul Rosas Jr Net Worth
| Attribute | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million (estimated) |
| Source of Wealth | UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorships, social media earnings |
| Annual Income | Not publicly disclosed |
| Endorsements | Sponsorship deals — specifics not publicly documented |
| Business Ventures | None publicly documented |
Raul Rosas Jr.’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million, a remarkable figure for a fighter who only turned professional in 2021. His earnings come primarily from UFC fight purses, which rise with each step up the rankings, supplemented by performance bonuses — his Performance of the Night award on his UFC debut being a notable early windfall. As his profile has grown, so have his sponsorship deals and social media income, with brands eager to associate with one of the sport’s most marketable young stars.
It is worth noting that fighters at the top of the UFC earn dramatically more than newcomers, so Rosas Jr.’s earning power is still on the upward curve. With a top-ten ranking, headlining experience, and a growing fan base on both sides of the US–Mexico border, his income is expected to climb significantly in the coming years if his trajectory continues.
10 Interesting Facts About Raul Rosas Jr
- His full name is Raúl Gilberto Rosas Rios Jr., and he fights under the nickname “El Niño Problema” — Spanish for “The Problem Child.”
- He became the youngest athlete ever signed to the UFC at 17 years, 11 months, and 12 days old, after winning on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2022.
- He made his professional MMA debut in November 2021 with UWC Mexico, defeating Eduardo Velazquez by submission.
- He holds a first-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a rare achievement for a fighter his age.
- He earned a Performance of the Night bonus in his UFC debut at UFC 282 on 10 December 2022, submitting Jay Perrin in the first round.
- He fights out of Rosas Brothers MMA in Las Vegas and uses a southpaw stance.
- His professional record stands at 13 wins and 1 loss, with 3 knockouts, 6 submissions, and 4 decision victories.
- He headlined his first UFC event on 26 September 2026, knocking out Raoni Barcelos with a slam in the fifth round at UFC Fight Night Las Vegas.
- He is ranked #8 in the UFC bantamweight division as of September 2026.
- He is set to make his Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling debut against Clay Guida on 28 November 2026.
Conclusion
Raul Rosas Jr.’s story is still being written, but what has been written so far is already historic. From a regional debut in Mexico at 17 to the youngest UFC contract in history, from a bonus-winning debut at UFC 282 to headlining a UFC event in 2026, “El Niño Problema” has turned teenage promise into top-ten reality. His wrestling-heavy game continues to evolve, and his knockout of Raoni Barcelos showed that his finishing ability is growing along with his experience.
At 22 years old, with an estimated $1 million net worth, a #8 ranking, and a wrestling debut against Clay Guida on the horizon, Rosas Jr. stands at the edge of something bigger. Whether the next chapters bring a title shot or new challenges, one thing is certain: the problem child of the bantamweight division is not going anywhere.
FAQs
Who is Raul Rosas Jr.?
Raul Rosas Jr. is a Mexican-American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s bantamweight division, known by the nickname “El Niño Problema” (The Problem Child) and famous for being the youngest fighter ever signed to the UFC.
How old is Raul Rosas Jr.?
He was born on 8 October 2004, which makes him 22 years old as of October 2026.
Where was Raul Rosas Jr. born?
He was born in Clovis, New Mexico, United States, and holds both American and Mexican nationality.
How tall is Raul Rosas Jr.?
He stands 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and competes at 135 pounds (61 kg) with a 67-inch reach.
What is Raul Rosas Jr.’s MMA record?
His professional MMA record is 13 wins and 1 loss, with 3 wins by knockout, 6 by submission, and 4 by decision.
Why is Raul Rosas Jr. called “El Niño Problema”?
“El Niño Problema” is Spanish for “The Problem Child” — a nickname reflecting the problems he causes opponents in the cage with his relentless wrestling and submission game.
When did Raul Rosas Jr. join the UFC?
He earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2022, becoming the youngest athlete ever signed to the UFC at 17 years, 11 months, and 12 days old.
What happened in Raul Rosas Jr.’s fight against Raoni Barcelos?
He headlined UFC Fight Night Las Vegas on 26 September 2026 and defeated Raoni Barcelos by knockout via slam in the fifth round.
What is Raul Rosas Jr.’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at around $1 million, earned through UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, sponsorships, and social media income.
Is Raul Rosas Jr. dating anyone?
No public girlfriend has been documented — he keeps his private life out of the spotlight and is understood to be single.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Fact-checked by Xposed editorial team