MEXICO CITY – Raul Rosas Jr.’s big-picture goal remains breaking Jon Jones’ record as the youngest champion in UFC history, but he knows he can’t reach that accomplishment without taking each step.
Rosas (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) admits his ambition may have gotten the best of him in the past. And though he’s still just 20, he enters Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 64 bantamweight matchup with Vince Morales (11-9 MMA, 3-7 UFC) at Arena CDMX in Mexico City (ESPN2, ESPN+) with a more mature mentality.
“I’m just concentrated on my path, on every fight,” Rosas told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 64 media day. “I just want to get that belt, so whatever I need to get me there, I’m ready to do it.”
Prior to getting booked against Morales on Saturday, Rosas was briefly linked to a fight against Rob Font in Seattle in February. He said the opportunity to step in as a replacement for Dominick Cruz was presented, but Rosas said he had personal commitments that would’ve prevented him from making the weight.
Still, though, Rosas is motivated knowing the UFC brass already considers him worthy of being booked against someone like Font, who has been ranked for years. Ultimately, it’s the goal to beat Morales, then get a fight like that back.
“That’s what I’m hoping for either way,” Rosas said. “If not, I’ve still got time for my age. I’ll just keep fighting whoever and eventually I’ll get there.”
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