Saturday’s UFC 282 was a history-making one, when bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. stepped into the Octagon against Jay Perrin. Rosas Jr. became the youngest fighter in UFC history.

At 18 years and 63 days old, Rosas Jr. broke the previous record held by Dan Lauzon, who was 18 years and 198 days old when he made his UFC debut on Oct. 14, 2006.

Rosas Jr.’s UFC debut ended in a Round 1 submission victory.

He is just the third 18-year-old to step into the Octagon, but made history as the first to win in the UFC. 

After the fight, Rosas Jr. noted that he knew he would “be here at this age.”

“Right now, I’m just living the dream. I had no nerves, no pressure, felt free. I’m doing what I love to do.” 

He ended his post-fight comments by saying that this was just an introduction and is “coming for that belt.”

Rosas Jr. was born and raised in Mexico and raised in New Mexico and California.

His desire to become a professional fighter became apparent at an early age. He made his amateur debut at the age of 14, participating in the IMMAF World Championships in Rome, where he won gold. 

His dedication to his craft has been on full display since.

In November 2021, Rosas Jr. made his professional debut with Mexico's Ultimate Warrior Challenge, where he earned a 5-0 record. He was later invited to appear on Dana White's Contender Series in September, which ended in a victory over Mando Gutierrez. 

He was later signed, becoming the youngest fighter to sign a UFC contract. 

At the time, White said of Rosas Jr.: “I've never seen anything like it... the amount of fighters blowing me up saying you're crazy not to [sign him] ... He's absolutely, positively talented. He's special, he's different.”

Still a senior in high school, Rosas Jr. already has his UFC debut already behind him and has made his intentions known: becoming the youngest champion in UFC history.

The current record is held by Jon Jones, who won his first UFC championship at the age of 23. Rosas Jr. is still a ways away.