MEXICO CITY – Raul Rosas Jr.’s big-picture goal stays breaking Jon Jones’ record because 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 could have gotten the very best of him up to now. 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 targeting my path, on every fight,” Rosas told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 64 media day. “I just wish to get that belt, so whatever I would like to get me there, I’m able 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 chance to step in as a substitute for Dominick Cruz was presented, but Rosas said he had personal commitments that will’ve prevented him from making the load.
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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