Raul Rosas Jr. secured a unanimous decision victory against Vince Morales at UFC Mexico, overcoming a late surge from his opponent.
Rosas dominated the initial rounds with takedowns and submission attempts, maintaining control over Morales on the ground. In the third round, Morales launched a fierce comeback, nearly locking in a D’Arce choke, but Rosas skillfully escaped and endured until the final bell.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Rosas, who celebrated his triumph in front of the enthusiastic crowd in Mexico.
Rosas expressed gratitude to Dana White for the opportunity to compete in Mexico and voiced his ambition to continue improving and compete for a championship title. He referenced a previous UFC Mexico event he had to withdraw from due to illness, emphasizing his connection with the Mexican fans.
From the start, Rosas initiated an early takedown, delivering effective punches and elbows while controlling Morales on the ground. Despite Morales`s defensive efforts, Rosas maintained relentless pressure and superior positioning.
Rosas`s aggressive offense briefly created an opening, allowing Morales to reverse position and attempt a Peruvian necktie submission just before the end of the first round.
Throughout the remainder of the fight, Rosas persisted in pressing forward. With Morales posing minimal threat in striking exchanges, Rosas consistently took the fight to the ground, controlling Morales and accumulating points on the scorecards.
In a desperate attempt to turn the tide, Morales launched a late comeback in the final round, securing an anaconda choke and transitioning to a D’Arce choke, momentarily threatening a finish. However, Rosas remained composed, successfully escaped, and regained a dominant position.
Morales made a final attempt at a submission just before the fight concluded, but Rosas held on, ensuring his victory.
This win marks Rosas`s fourth consecutive victory since his only career loss, demonstrating his ongoing progress and development in each performance. With the UFC`s return to Mexico in September for the third Noche UFC event, Rosas might aim to compete there again, especially after the strong support he received from the Mexican audience on Saturday.
