by ‘Great debut, I’m looking at you!’: Conor McGregor praises Raul Rosas Jr. after the 18-year-old became the youngest UFC fighter to win by submitting Jay Perrin with ease
- Raul Rosas Jr. became the youngest fighter to compete in the UFC on Saturday night
- He faced and beat Jay Perrin at the age of 18 years and 63 days in his debut
- Conor McGregor took to Twitter to praise the youngster’s ‘great’ debut
- ‘El Nino Problema’ admitted he felt like he was ‘living in a move’ after fight
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Conor McGregor hailed Raul Rosas Jr. after becoming the youngest UFC fighter to win in his debut on Saturday night.
Rosas became the youngest fighter to compete in the UFC when he faced Jay Perrin at UFC 282 on Saturday at the age of 18 years and 63 days. The record was previously held by Dan Lauzon, who was 18 years and 198 days old when he competed at UFC 64 in 2006.
He took his record-breaking debut one step further by beating Perrin, submitting him 2:44 into the first with a rear naked choke.
Raul Rosas Jr. became the youngest UFC fighter to win in his debut by submitting Jay Perrin
UFC icon Conor McGregor took to Twitter to congratulate the 18-year-old on his first fight
‘El Nino Problema’ impressed the sports world, garnering plenty of applause on social media, including UFC icon McGregor.
The Irishman took to Twitter to praise the youngster and warn him he was watching him – although he did get the name wrong in the process, calling him Paul instead of Raul.
McGregor posted: “Paul Rosas – great debut, looking at you!”
Following his dream debut, the 18-year-old admitted he felt like he was “living in a movie”.
The Irishman claimed he would watch ‘El Nino Problema’ throughout his blossoming career
After his dream debut, the youngster admitted he felt like he was ‘living in a movie’
“I feel amazing,” he said. ‘I didn’t really expect that. This is one of many more to come.
“I thank God that I got out safe and I’m ready to go back there next Saturday or to Brazil, whenever I have to. I’m ready to go home as soon as possible. i live like [in] a movie right now.’
While Rosas himself may not have expected the win, others had the youngster excited before the fight, including UFC President Dana White.
Rosas signed for the UFC at 17, again the youngest man to do so, and had impressed White on the Contender Series.
On his debut, Rosas beat Perrin submitting him at 2:44 of the first with a rear naked choke
White said, “For a 17-year-old to perform the way he did in this fight, I was blown away.”
“He’s not one of those guys who is a jiu-jitsu guy who just hangs around, and whatever,” he added.
“He is always looking for something, how skilled he is, how he takes the back. When you get his back, how can he get out. Everything this kid has done has impressed me and especially his cardio.
“I’m very, very impressed with this kid. He’s absolutely special. The number of fighters who have blown me away saying, ‘Oh my God. This kid is for real. This kid is legit. Awesome.’
Still in high school, Rosas will be back in class next week but is likely to be back in the Octagon in 2023.
