Aaron Isaac Rosa (born May 28, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2005 until 2013, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, ShoXC, and Strikeforce.

Aaron Rosa
Born (1983-05-28) May 28, 1983 (age 40)
Del Rio, Texas, United States
Other namesBig Red
ResidenceSan Antonio, Texas
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight205.8 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach77.0 in (196 cm)
Fighting out ofSan Antonio, Texas, United States
TeamTeam Punishment
Years active2005-2013
Professional boxing record
Total2
Draws2
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins18
By knockout6
By submission4
By decision8
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Born and raised in the border-town of Del Rio, Texas, Rosa was a talented football player, competing at Del Rio High School before continuing his career at Angelo State University, where he was also a standout. In January 2004, Rosa began training in mixed martial arts.[1][2]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Rosa made his amateur debut later that year in 2004 and made his professional debut in November 2005. Rosa compiled an undefeated record of 9–0 fighting on the local circuit before being signed by ShoXC.

ShoXC edit

Rosa made his promotional debut on July 27, 2007, at ShoXC: Elite Challengers Series against Jefferson Silva and won via TKO. Rosa made his next appearance on October 26, 2007, against Jared Hamman and was handed his first professional defeat via rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Rosa then faced Jaime Fletcher on March 21, 2008, and was defeated again, via unanimous decision.

Rosa was scheduled to fight Seth Petruzelli, at EliteXC: Heat, but Petruzelli was moved to the main event to fight Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson after Ken Shamrock had to pull out due to an injury.[3]

Strikeforce edit

After picking up a win under the Adrenaline MMA banner, Rosa made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina on May 15, 2009, in a Light Heavyweight bout against Anthony Ruiz. Rosa won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Rosa made his next appearance on November 20, 2009, at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears against Rafael Cavalcante. Rosa was defeated in the second round via TKO.

At Bellator 20 he defeated veteran Robert Villegas by unanimous decision.[4] Rosa then defeated The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumnus Abe Wagner via submission at Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott.

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

On May 13, 2011, it was announced that Rosa had signed with the UFC.

He made his debut against Joey Beltran at UFC 131.[5] After a back-and-forth first two rounds, Rosa was stopped by Beltran by TKO in the third round.

Rosa was expected to face Fabio Maldonado in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson.[6] But Maldonado was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury.[7]

Rosa instead faced promotional newcomer Matt Lucas on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox 1.[8] He won the fight via majority decision.

Rosa had his next Light Heavyweight bout against James Te-Huna on March 3, 2012, at UFC on FX 2.[9] Rosa lost via TKO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[10]

Bellator edit

After his release from the UFC, Rosa made his return to Bellator at Bellator 103 on October 11, 2013, facing Mikhail Zayats. Rosa was defeated 47 seconds into the first round via submission.

Return to MMA edit

After more the 9 years away from the sport, Rosa made his return against Juan Adams at Fury FC 56 on February 6, 2022.[11] Rosa lost the bout in the first round via ground and pound TKO.[12]

Personal life edit

Rosa is married and has 2 daughters and a son.[13]

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
25 matches 18 wins 7 losses
By knockout 6 4
By submission 4 2
By decision 8 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–7 Juan Adams TKO (punches) Fury FC 56 February 6, 2022 1 3:08 San Antonio, Texas, United States Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 18–6 Mikhail Zayats Submission (kimura) Bellator 103 October 11, 2013 1 0:47 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win 18–5 Tony Melton Decision (split) EODV: El Orgulo del Valle March 16, 2013 3 3:00 Pharr, Texas, United States
Loss 17–5 James Te-Huna TKO (punches) UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann March 3, 2012 1 2:08 Sydney, Australia
Win 17–4 Matt Lucas Decision (majority) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos November 12, 2011 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States Return to Light Heavyweight.
Loss 16–4 Joey Beltran TKO (punches) UFC 131 June 11, 2011 3 1:26 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 16–3 Abe Wagner Submission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott March 25, 2011 2 0:35 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 15–3 Devin Cole Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley September 11, 2010 3 5:00 Amarillo, Texas, United States Heavyweight debut.
Win 14–3 Jay Peche TKO (punches) ABG: Promotions July 17, 2010 1 4:47 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win 13–3 Robert Villegas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 20 May 27, 2010 3 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss 12–3 Rafael Cavalcante TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears November 20, 2009 2 3:25 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 12–2 Anthony Ruiz Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina May 15, 2009 1 4:29 Fresno, California, United States
Win 11–2 Ron Fields TKO (punches) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow June 14, 2008 2 0:34 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 10–2 Jaime Fletcher Decision (unanimous) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series March 21, 2008 3 5:00 Santa Ynez, California, United States
Loss 10–1 Jared Hamman Submission (rear-naked choke) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series October 26, 2007 2 1:46 Santa Ynez, California, United States
Win 10–0 Jefferson Silva TKO (doctor stoppage) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series July 27, 2007 1 5:00 Santa Ynez, California, United States
Win 9–0 Matt Thomas Decision (split) World Cage Fighting 1 June 23, 2007 3 3:00 Southaven, Mississippi, United States
Win 8–0 Corey Salter TKO (punches) JJL Promotions: Sudden Impact 1 February 27, 2007 3 0:10 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win 7–0 Jesse Vasquez TKO (punches) Renegades Extreme Fighting January 20, 2007 2 0:10 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 6–0 Anthony Trotter TKO (punches) NLE: Ultimate Fright Night October 28, 2006 2 N/A Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Win 5–0 Robert Masko Decision (unanimous) Renegades Extreme Fighting September 30, 2006 4 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 4–0 Lance Ramoth Submission (rear-naked choke) Renegades Extreme Fighting June 17, 2006 4 0:28 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Patrick Miller Submission (rear-naked choke) Renegades Extreme Fighting March 25, 2006 1 0:44 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Matt Thompson Decision (unanimous) Renegades Extreme Fighting February 10, 2006 3 5:00 Austin, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 Shane Faulkner Decision (unanimous) Renegades Extreme Fighting November 5, 2005 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States

References edit

  1. ^ "San Antonio's Aaron Rosa Talks About His Texas MMA Roots and UFC Debut this Saturday Night! | TXMMA - Texas Mixed Martial Arts". Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  2. ^ Rosa Vs. Villegasat Bellator 20 In San Antonio - Fightline.com
  3. ^ Michael David Smith. "Seth Petruzelli Destroys Kimbo Slice; EliteXC Star Is the Ultimate Fraud". MMA Fighting.
  4. ^ "Aaron Rosa vs. Robert Villegas Set For Bellator 20". 411Mania. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "Beltran draws Strikeforce import Rosa at UFC 131". MMAJunkie. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011.
  6. ^ "Rosa Cuts to 205, Meets Maldonado at UFC Live 6". sherdog.com. August 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "Fabio Maldonado scratched from UFC on Versus 6 due to injury". mmajunkie.com. September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  8. ^ "Lucas vs. Rosa added to UFC on FOX 1". mmajunkie.com. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.
  9. ^ "James Te Huna vs Aaron Rosa possible for March 3 in Australia". mmamania.com. December 23, 2011.
  10. ^ Tabuena, Anton (June 4, 2012). "UFC Releases Several Fighters From Their Roster". bloodyelbow.com.
  11. ^ Riley Kontek (January 24, 2022). Shootin' the Shit Ep. 90: Juan Adams – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Fury FC 56 Results: Butler Knocks Out Fullen in Round 1". Combat Press. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Aaron Rosa - Never Stop Fighting | UFC &reg - News

External links edit