Who is the youngest UFC fighter ever? How old does one have to be to compete in the UFC?

UFC 282: Rosas Jr. v Perrin
Youngest UFC fighter was just 18 years old during his debut

At UFC 282, 18-year-old high school student Raul Rosas Jr. created a historic moment in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the UFC by fighting against Jay Perrin.

'El Niño Problema', the 18-year-old fighter, made a historic debut at UFC 282, winning his first fight against Jay Perrin by submitting him with a rear-naked choke in the first round. This marked a significant achievement for Rosas, who became the youngest fighter to win a fight. His victory not only created a milestone in the promotion's history but also earned him a performance of the night bonus.

18-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. has become the youngest fighter ever in Ultimate Fighting Championship history at the tender age of eighteen and two months old. Despite still attending high school, he demonstrates a level of maturity that surpasses his young age. His addition to the bantamweight division introduces a fresh and unique element to the sport.

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In September, the Mexican-born teenage sensation impressed Dana White with a remarkable performance that earned him a one-sided decision victory over Mando Gutiérrez in the Dana White Contender Series, opening the doors to the promotion for him. White was highly impressed with Rosas's skills and even remarked that he had never seen a fighter quite like him before.

Dan Lauzon previously held the record as the youngest fighter to sign a contract with the UFC at the age of 18 years and 198 days.

To compete in a State Athletic Commission sanctioned MMA fight in the United States, a fighter must be at least 18 years old. While there is no specific upper age limit for MMA competition, some sanctioning bodies, such as the ISCF, have a suggested limit of 40, which can be waived under certain circumstances.


The official poster for UFC 285 is out

The official poster for UFC 285 has been unveiled, featuring the highly-anticipated heavyweight debut of Jon Jones. The former Light Heavyweight Champion has been out of action for three years but is now ready to compete for the vacant heavyweight title.

With Francis Ngannou out of the picture, Jones is set to face former interim champ Ciryl Gane in a bid to add another title to his already impressive collection. Fans are eagerly anticipating this epic clash, which promises to be one of the biggest fights of the year.

The highly anticipated UFC 285 event is scheduled to take place on March 4th, 2023 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMA fans worldwide can catch all the action live through the ESPN+ pay-per-view service. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience for fight fans as some of the best fighters in the world will be competing in a series of thrilling matchups.

Check out the official poster here:

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Edited by Ashvinkumar Patil
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