Ex-Clovis resident becomes youngest to win UFC fight

ALBUQUERQUE — Clovis native Raul Rosas Jr. made history on Saturday night as the 18-year-old became the youngest fighter ever to win a UFC fight.

The former Clovis resident dominated his opponent, Jay Perrin, into submission during the first round of their featherweight fight.

“Man, this is crazy, but I knew I was going to be here at this age,” said Rosas Jr., currently a high school senior in Las Vegas, Nevada. “So right now I’m just living the dream.

“I had no nerves, no pressure, felt free. I’m doing what I love to do. And right now, tonight, I just came to introduce myself, because I’m coming for that belt.”

Rojas Jr. began fighting at a young age before his career moved him out of New Mexico.

Roy Salcido, a mixed martial arts fighter who has trained for 11 years in Clovis, said some of that time was spent training with Rosas.

“I’ve known Raul since he was a kid, like four or five years old,” Saucida said. “He and I trained together. Sometimes Raul came to train at my house.”

He said he thought Rosas would go places in MMA.

“Honestly, that kid was in the gym every day, stayed on the grind the whole time,” Salcido said.

He said the Rosas family moved to California before going to Las Vegas, where he thinks they have been for two years now.

“It was great news; he worked hard to get there,” Salcido said of Rojas’ win. “I spoke to his dad. I told him congratulations.”

He said he didn’t get to congratulate the younger Rosas personally is because he’s “super-busy” and doesn’t get on social media.

Salcido thinks Rojas’ brother, Gessie, will also make his mark.

“They have a sister, Kenia, who’s a mixed martial artist, and another brother, Kevin,” Salcido said. “They’re amazing kids.”

KRQE-TV in Albuquerque contributed to this report.