Charles Rosa (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional since 2012, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Charles Rosa
Born (1986-08-24) August 24, 1986 (age 37)
Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S.
Other namesBoston Strong
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach69 in (180 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofBoca Raton, Florida, United States[4]
TeamAmerican Top Team (2008–2021)[5]
American Combat Gym (2021–present)
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Liborio[6]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins16
By knockout4
By submission9
By decision3
Losses8
By knockout1
By decision7
UniversityJohnson & Wales University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Charles, of Italian descent[7] is the son of Chucky and Mary Rosa and was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts.[8] Rosa's father, grandfather, and uncle were all professional boxers. Rosa had two older brothers, Domenic and Vincent, who both died from accidental drug overdoses.[9] He also has a sister, Teresa, and two younger brothers, Lucas and Francis.[9] Growing up, Rosa played football, hockey, lacrosse, and also trained in karate.

Rosa continued playing lacrosse at Johnson & Wales University, where he also earned a degree in the culinary arts. After graduating from the college, Rosa later relocated to Florida to find a fresh start.[9] Looking for a boxing gym, Rosa stumbled upon American Top Team gym, where he began to train in mixed martial arts.[10]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Rosa compiled an amateur MMA record of 11–2 and made his professional debut in 2012 competing in regional promotions across the Northeastern United States. He compiled an undefeated record of 9–0, finishing all of his opponents before signing with the UFC in the summer of 2014.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Rosa made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement against Dennis Siver on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53, replacing an injured Robert Whiteford.[12] Siver won the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.[13] Subsequently, both participants earned Fight of the Night honors.[14]

Rosa faced Sean Soriano on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59.[15] Rosa won the bout via submission in the third round.[16]

Rosa then faced Yair Rodríguez on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188.[17] He lost the fight by split decision.[18] Despite the loss, Rosa also earned his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[19]

Rosa was originally expected to face Jimy Hettes on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81.[20] However, Hettes pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event and was very briefly replaced by promotional newcomer Augusto Mendes.[21] Just two days later, Mendes was removed from the fight and was replaced by Kyle Bochniak.[22] Rosa won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Rosa faced Shane Burgos on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.[24] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[25] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.[26]

Rosa was expected to face Mizuto Hirota on September 23, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 117.[27] However, the bout was canceled on the day of the weigh-ins as Hirota missed weight and was deemed medically unfit to compete.[28]

Rosa was expected to face Dan Ige on January 20, 2018, at UFC 220.[29] However, on December 22, 2017, it was reported that Rosa was pulled from the event due to neck injury.[30]

I had that moment where the doctor said, ‘You should consider hanging it up [due to your neck injury]'. That almost brought tears to my eyes when he said that. There was silence in the room. I stopped and I said, ‘What’s the other option? He didn’t really say, so I told him what the other option is: ‘I’m going to defy all odds and I’m going to beat this. I’m going to work hard and I’m going to do everything I can possibly do to come back.[31]

After hiatus for 30 months due to neck injury, Rosa returned and faced Manny Bermudez on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.[32] At the weigh-in, Bermudez weighed in at 148 pounds, 2 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146. The bout was held at catchweight. Bermudez was fined 20% of his purse which went to Rosa.[33] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[34] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[35]

Rosa was scheduled to face Bryce Mitchell on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman.[36] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed[37] and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020, at UFC 249.[38] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]

Rosa faced Kevin Aguilar on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.[40] He won the fight via split decision.[40]

Rosa faced Darrick Minner on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis.[41] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[42]

Rosa faced Justin Jaynes on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190.[43] He won the fight by split decision.[44]

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Rosa faced Damon Jackson on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194.[45][46] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[47]

Rosa, as a replacement for Gabriel Benítez on three days notice, is scheduled to face T.J. Brown on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze.[48] In conjunction with the bout, Rosa signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC.[49] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[50]

Rosa faced Nathaniel Wood on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall.[51] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[52]

On August 10, 2023, it was announced that Rosa was no longer on the UFC roster.[53]

Personal life edit

In addition to competing, Rosa works as a chef at an upscale steakhouse.[10]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
24 matches 16 wins 8 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 9 0
By decision 3 7
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–8 Paul Teague TKO (punches) LeLeo Code MMA: Winter Fightfest Pro 16 December 2023 1 1:41 Altamonte Springs, Florida, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 15–8 Jonathan Gary Submission (guillotine choke) CES 75 20 October 2023 2 0:47 Ledyard, Connecticut, United States Return to Lightweight.
Loss 14–8 Nathaniel Wood Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall 23 July 2022 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 14–7 T.J. Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze January 15, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss 14–6 Damon Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez October 8, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–5 Justin Jaynes Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov June 26, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 13–5 Darrick Minner Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis February 20, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–4 Kevin Aguilar Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo June 13, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss 12–4 Bryce Mitchell Decision (unanimous) UFC 249 May 9, 2020 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win 12–3 Manny Bermudez Submission (armbar) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman October 18, 2019 1 2:46 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Catchweight (148 lb) bout; Bermudez missed weight. Performance of the Night.
Loss 11–3 Shane Burgos TKO (punches) UFC 210 April 8, 2017 3 1:59 Buffalo, New York, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 11–2 Kyle Bochniak Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz January 17, 2016 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 10–2 Yair Rodríguez Decision (split) UFC 188 June 13, 2015 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico Fight of the Night.
Win 10–1 Sean Soriano Submission (D'Arce choke) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver January 18, 2015 3 4:43 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 9–1 Dennis Siver Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story October 4, 2014 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden Fight of the Night.
Win 9–0 Jake Constant Submission (armbar) CES MMA 25 August 8, 2014 1 3:36 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Catchweight (149 lb) bout.
Win 8–0 Brylan Van Artsdalen Submission (armbar) CES MMA 22 March 14, 2014 1 3:25 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 7–0 Keith Richardson TKO (punches) Fight Lab 35 February 8, 2014 2 2:08 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 6–0 Ralph Johnson Submission (anaconda choke) CES MMA 20 December 6, 2013 1 3:03 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 5–0 Steve McCabe Submission (Peruvian necktie) CES MMA: Rise or Fall October 4, 2013 1 1:39 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 4–0 Sylvester Murataj TKO (punches) CES MMA: Gold Rush August 29, 2013 1 0:46 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Welterweight debut.
Win 3–0 Aaron Steadman Submission (triangle choke) CFA 11 May 24, 2013 1 3:26 Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Jason Jones TKO (punches) CFA 9 January 19, 2013 1 3:52 Coral Gables, Florida, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 1–0 Hauley Tillman Submission (armbar) CFA 9 August 24, 2012 1 1:56 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Catchweight (158 lb) bout.

[54]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fight Card - UFC 188 Velasquez vs. Werdum". UFC.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night McGregor vs. Siver". UFC.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  3. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  4. ^ Dave Doyle (2015-01-17). "From flag-stealing to fighting, Boston's Charles Rosa comes full circle". mmafighting.com.
  5. ^ Ben Fowlkes (December 4, 2013). "How UFC vet Charles McCarthy has put a career's worth of mistakes to good use". MMAjunkie.com.
  6. ^ Jason Floyd (April 6, 2016). "UFC featherweight Charles Rosa talks about receiving his jiu-jitsu black belt". The MMA Report Podcast.
  7. ^ "Peabody's Charles Rosa where he belongs in UFC". We the Italians.
  8. ^ a b Kiki Evans (October 9, 2014). "Rosa claims $50K for Fight of the Night in UFC". seacoastonline.com.
  9. ^ a b c Jim Norton (April 23, 2020). "Dan Hardy and Charles Rosa" (Podcast).
  10. ^ a b Kyle Nagel (2015-11-28). "Fight Path: Charles Rosa trades in hockey for MMA – but the culinary pursuits can stay". mmajunkie.com.
  11. ^ Kiki Evans (2014-10-02). "Charles Rosa steps up fighting game, signs with UFC". seacoastonline.com. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  12. ^ Jacob Cooper (2014-09-30). "Dennis Siver now faces Charles Rosa at UFC Fight Night 53". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-09-30.
  13. ^ Dann Stupp (2014-10-04). "UFC UFC Fight Night 53 results: Dennis Siver gets judges' nod over crafty Charles Rosa". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
  14. ^ a b Staff (2014-10-04). "UFC Fight Night 53 bonuses: Siver and Rosa earn $50,000 'FOTN' awards". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
  15. ^ MMA Fighting Newswire (2014-12-19). "Charles Rosa will face Sean Soriano at UFC Fight Night 59". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  16. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-01-18). "UFC Fight Night 59 results: Charles Rosa's slick grappling downs Sean Soriano". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-18.
  17. ^ Jason Floyd (2015-02-24). "Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa official for UFC 188". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-02-24.
  18. ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-06-13). "UFC 188 results: Yair Rodriguez splits with Charles Rosa, then spits up in interview". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
  19. ^ a b Matt Erickson (2015-06-14). "UFC 188 bonuses: Fabricio Werdum cashes $50,000 extra check. Who joined him?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
  20. ^ Elias Cepeda (2015-10-17). "Charles Rosa vs. Jim Hettes set for Jan. 17 in Boston". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-10-17.
  21. ^ Staff (2016-01-11). "Augusto Mendes, Elvis Mutapcic make debuts on short notice at UFC Fight Night 81". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  22. ^ Staff (2016-01-14). "Newcomer Kyle Bochniak a late addition to Sunday's UFC Fight Night 81 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  23. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-01-17). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Charles Rosa outlasts game Kyle Bochniak for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  24. ^ Staff (2017-01-27). "More bouts added to UFC 210 in Buffalo". buffalonews.com. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 results: Shane Burgos drops Charles Rosa, wins by third-round TKO to stay unbeaten". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  26. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 Bonuses: Oliveira, Burgos, Rosa, Gillespie receive $50K Awards". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  27. ^ Dann Stupp (2017-08-06). "Slew of bouts official for UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  28. ^ Ken Hathaway (2017-09-21). "Mizuto Hirota pulled from UFC-Japan after scary weigh-in incident". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-09-21.
  29. ^ "Charles Rosa vs Dan Ige added to UFC 220 in Boston - MMA Mad". MMA Mad. 2017-12-14. Archived from the original on 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  30. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Charles Rosa vecht niet tijdens UFC 220 in Boston vanwege een nekblessure". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  31. ^ "After 30-month absence, Charles Rosa will 'defy all odds' by returning at UFC on ESPN 6". MMA Junkie. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  32. ^ Marcel Dorff. "Manny Bermudez treft Charles Rosa tijdens UFC Boston" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  33. ^ "UFC on ESPN 6 weigh-in results: Weidman vs. Reyes set, but two fighters miss weight". MMAWeekly.com. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
  34. ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-10-18). "UFC Boston Results: Charles Rosa Armbars Manny Bermudez in First Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  35. ^ a b Fernando Quiles Jr. (2019-10-19). "UFC Boston Bonuses, Live Gate & Attendance Revealed". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  36. ^ Marcel Dorff (2020-03-03). "Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa added to UFC Oklahoma City". mmadna.com. Retrieved 2020-03-03.(in Dutch)
  37. ^ Brett Okamoto (2020-04-09). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  38. ^ "REVISED – UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje Fight Card | MMAWeekly.com". 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  39. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-05-09). "UFC 249 Results: Bryce Mitchell Dominates Charles Rosa, Earns Camo Shorts". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  40. ^ a b "Charles Rosa vs. Kevin Aguilar official for UFC Fight Night Vegas on June 13th". FightBook MMA. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  41. ^ "UFC adds Charles Rosa vs. Darrick Minner to Feb. 20 UFC Fight Night". MMA Junkie. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  42. ^ McClory, Mike (2021-02-20). "UFC Vegas 19 Results: Darrick Minner Gets Last Word Against Charles Rosa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  43. ^ Jamal Boussenaf (2021-04-03). "Justin Jaynes treft Charles Rosa op 26 juni". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  44. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (2021-06-26). "UFC Vegas 30 Results: Justin Jaynes Bets on Himself, Loses to Charles Rosa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  45. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-08-24). "Charles Rosa vs. Damon Jackson toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 9 oktober". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  46. ^ Farah Hannoun (January 12, 2022). "Charles Rosa steps in last minute to fight TJ Brown at UFC on ESPN 32; Gabriel Benitez out". MMAjunkie.com.
  47. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-10-09). "UFC Vegas 39 Results: Damon Jackson Survives, Defeats Charles Rosa in Bloody Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  48. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2022-01-12). "Gabriel Benitez out, Charles Rosa steps in on 3 days' notice to fight TJ Brown at UFC Vegas 46". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  49. ^ Charles Rosa [@CharlesRosaMMA] (January 12, 2022). "Just signed a new 4Fight @ufc contract 🙌 Stay ready so I don't have to get ready .. take advantage of OPPORTUNITIES and that's what I believe life is about!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-01-15). "UFC Vegas 46: TJ Brown Wins Decision Over Short-Notice Foe Charles Rosa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  51. ^ Staff (2022-06-16). "Charles Rosa vs. Nathaniel Wood teed up for UFC's July return to London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  52. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-07-23). "UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Triumphant in Return, Chews Up Charles Rosa's Leg with Calf Kicks". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  53. ^ Walter, Jeffrey (2023-08-11). "The UFC parts ways with three fighters | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  54. ^ Sherdog.com. "Charles". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-10-10.

External links edit