Rosas Says Retirement at 25 Depends on Career Goals

Raul Rosas Jr. says he could retire from mixed martial arts after turning 25 only if he has achieved his career goals by then, describing the age as a possibility rather than a fixed deadline. The 21-year-old made the comments in an interview with Full Send MMA ahead of his scheduled main event against Raoni Barcelos at UFC Vegas 121. Rosas said his ambitions include winning the UFC title, defending it several times and challenging himself in one or two higher weight classes. He said he might instead continue competing until 26, 27 or 28, depending on when he feels he has run out of goals. The remarks were reported from the same interview, rather than representing separate statements made in multiple appearances. The scheduled bout with Barcelos is set for September 26 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It is to be Rosas’s first UFC main event. The supplied reports describe the contest as upcoming and do not establish whether it took place or provide a result. Rosas has also linked the fight to his championship aspirations. In the interview, he said a win would put him in a good position to continue pursuing the title.