American mixed martial arts fighter
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 .
Background
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
Early career
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
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
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] The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumnus Abe Wagner via submission at Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott .
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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]
Rosa was expected to face Fabio Maldonado in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson .[ 6] [ 7]
Rosa instead faced promotional newcomer Matt Lucas on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox 1 .[ 8]
Rosa had his next Light Heavyweight bout against James Te-Huna on March 3, 2012, at UFC on FX 2 .[ 9] [ 10]
Bellator
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
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] [ 12]
Personal life
Rosa is married and has 2 daughters and a son.[ 13]
Mixed martial arts record
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
^ "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 .^ Rosa Vs. Villegasat Bellator 20 In San Antonio - Fightline.com ^ Michael David Smith (October 4, 2008). "Seth Petruzelli Destroys Kimbo Slice; EliteXC Star Is the Ultimate Fraud" . MMA Fighting. ^ "Aaron Rosa vs. Robert Villegas Set For Bellator 20" . 411Mania. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011.^ "Beltran draws Strikeforce import Rosa at UFC 131" . MMAJunkie. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011.^ "Rosa Cuts to 205, Meets Maldonado at UFC Live 6" . sherdog.com. August 17, 2011.^ "Fabio Maldonado scratched from UFC on Versus 6 due to injury" . mmajunkie.com. September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.^ "Lucas vs. Rosa added to UFC on FOX 1" . mmajunkie.com. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.^ "James Te Huna vs Aaron Rosa possible for March 3 in Australia" . mmamania.com. December 23, 2011.^ Tabuena, Anton (June 4, 2012). "UFC Releases Several Fighters From Their Roster" . bloodyelbow.com. ^ Riley Kontek (January 24, 2022). Shootin' the Shit Ep. 90: Juan Adams ^ "Fury FC 56 Results: Butler Knocks Out Fullen in Round 1" . Combat Press . Retrieved February 7, 2022 .^ Aaron Rosa - Never Stop Fighting | UFC ® - News
External links
