Aaron Rosa
Encyclopedia
Aaron Isaac Rosa is a Mexican American
mixed martial artist
. He previously fought at Heavyweight
and currently competes in the Light Heavyweight
division.
, Bellator
, and Strikeforce
veteran.
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.
At Bellator 20 he beat MMA veteran Robert Villegas by unanimous decision. More recently, he defeated The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumnus Abe Wagner
via submission at Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott.
He made his debut against Joey Beltran
at UFC 131
. 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
. But Maldonado was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury.
Rosa instead faced promotional newcomer Matt Lucas on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1. He won the fight via majority decision.
| Win
|align=center| 17-4
|Matt Lucas (fighter)|Matt Lucas
|Decision (majority)
|UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Anaheim, California
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Loss
|align=center| 16-4
|Joey Beltran
|TKO (punches)
|UFC 131
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:26
|Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|16-3
|Abe Wagner
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Titan Fighting Championships 17
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:35
|Kansas City, Kansas
, United States
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|15-3
|Devin Cole
|Decision (unanimous)
|Shark Fights 13
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Amarillo, Texas
, United States
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|14-3
|Jay Peche
|TKO (punches)
|ABG: Promotions
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:47
|San Antonio, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|13-3
|Robert Villegas
|Decision (unanimous)
|Bellator 20
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|San Antonio, Texas
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Loss
|align=center|12-3
|Rafael Cavalcante
|TKO (punches)
|Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:25
|Kansas City, Kansas
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Win
|align=center|12-2
|Anthony Ruiz
|Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:29
|Fresno, California
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Win
|align=center|11-2
|Ron Fields
|TKO (punches)
|Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:34
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|10-2
|Jaime Fletcher
|Decision (unanimous)
|ShoXC#March 21.2C 2008 card
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Santa Ynez, California
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|10-1
|Jared Hamman
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|ShoXC#October 26.2C 2007 card
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:46
|Santa Ynez, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|10-0
|Jefferson Silva
|TKO (doctor stoppage)
|ShoXC#July 27.2C 2007 card
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|5:00
|Santa Ynez, California
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|9-0
|Matt Thomas
|Decision (split)
|World Cage Fighting 1
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Southhaven, Mississippi, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|8-0
|Corey Salter
|TKO (punches)
|JJL Promotions: Sudden Impact 1
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:10
|San Antonio, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|7-0
|Jesse Vasquez
|TKO (punches)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:10
|Houston, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-0
|Anthony Trotter
|TKO (punches)
|NLE: Ultimate Fright Night
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|Bossier City, Louisiana
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-0
|Robert Masko
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|5:00
|Houston, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-0
|Lance Ramoth
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|0:28
|Houston, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-0
|Patrick Miller
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:44
|Houston, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|Matt Thompson
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Austin, Texas
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|Shane Faulkner
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Houston, Texas
, United States
|
|-
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. He previously fought at Heavyweight
Heavyweight (MMA)
The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally groups fighters between .Although many ambiguities exist within the lower weight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform...
and currently competes in the Light Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight (MMA)
The light heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally refers to competitors weighing between 186 and 205 lb . It sits between the lighter middleweight division, and the heavyweight division....
division.
Mixed martial arts career
Rosa made his professional MMA debut in November 2005. During his first two years fighting, he amassed an undefeated record of 10-0 over various promotions. He is an EliteXCElite Xtreme Combat
Elite Xtreme Combat, also known as EliteXC, was a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization owned and operated by ProElite. It was founded as a partnership between Showtime Networks and ProElite and officially announced on December 14, 2006. It was headquartered in Los Angeles, California.The...
, Bellator
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. "Bellator", which is Latin for "Warrior", is organized into seasons with each event hosting the rounds of championship knockout tournaments for three-five weight divisions.-History:In its first season,...
, and Strikeforce
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
veteran.
Rosa was scheduled to fight Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli
Seth Petruzelli is an American mixed martial artist, former kickboxer and entrepreneur. He is infamously known as the first man to defeat Kimbo Slice in mixed martial arts competition, knocking him out in 14 seconds. Seth went to school at the University of Central Florida to study Psychology...
, at EliteXC: Heat
EliteXC: Heat
EliteXC: Heat was a mixed martial arts event held by EliteXC on October 4, 2008 in Sunrise, Florida at the Bank Atlantic Center.It would be the last for the promotion....
, but Petruzelli was moved to the main event to fight Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson
Kimbo Slice
Kevin Ferguson , better known as Kimbo Slice, is a Bahamian-American boxer, mixed martial artist and occasional actor...
after Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
had to pull out due to an injury.
At Bellator 20 he beat MMA veteran Robert Villegas by unanimous decision. More recently, he defeated The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumnus Abe Wagner
Abe Wagner
Abraham Wagner is an American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Early Life:...
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
Joey Beltran
For the American electronic music producer and DJ, see Joey Beltram.Jose Felipe Beltran is an Mexican-American mixed martial artist. He is currently under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship , fighting in their heavyweight division...
at UFC 131
UFC 131
UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 11, 2011 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.-Background:...
. 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
Fabio Maldonado
Fabio Rogerio Maldonado is a Brazilian boxer and mixed martial artist. Fabio Maldonado trains at the training center of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Antônio Rogério Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...
in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson
UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson
UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 1, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C.-Background:...
. But Maldonado was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury.
Rosa instead faced promotional newcomer Matt Lucas on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1. He won the fight via majority decision.
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
|align=center| 17-4
|Matt Lucas (fighter)|Matt Lucas
|Decision (majority)
|UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 12, 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event was the fifth that the UFC has hosted in Anaheim.-Background:This card marked the UFC's debut on the Fox Network...
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Loss
|align=center| 16-4
|Joey Beltran
Joey Beltran
For the American electronic music producer and DJ, see Joey Beltram.Jose Felipe Beltran is an Mexican-American mixed martial artist. He is currently under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship , fighting in their heavyweight division...
|TKO (punches)
|UFC 131
UFC 131
UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 11, 2011 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.-Background:...
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:26
|Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|16-3
|Abe Wagner
Abe Wagner
Abraham Wagner is an American mixed martial artist. He was a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Early Life:...
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Titan Fighting Championships 17
Titan Fighting Championships 17
Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott was a mixed martial arts event held by the Titan Fighting Championships on Friday, March 25, 2011 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The event was aired on HDNet.-Background:...
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:35
|Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, United States
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|15-3
|Devin Cole
Devin Cole
Devin Cole is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to Strikeforce. He is a veteran of the Portland Wolfpack in the International Fight League.-Biography:...
|Decision (unanimous)
|Shark Fights 13
Shark Fights 13
Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs. Prangley was a mixed martial arts event held by Shark Fights on September 11, 2010 at the Civic Center Coliseum in Amarillo, Texas, United States.-Background:...
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
, United States
|Heavyweight bout
|-
| Win
|align=center|14-3
|Jay Peche
|TKO (punches)
|ABG: Promotions
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:47
|San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|13-3
|Robert Villegas
|Decision (unanimous)
|Bellator 20
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Loss
|align=center|12-3
|Rafael Cavalcante
Rafael Cavalcante
Rafael Cavalcante is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division. He trains with Anderson Silva and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira as part of the Black House camp. He currently competes in Strikeforce, where he is the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion...
|TKO (punches)
|Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears
Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears
Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The fifth Challengers episode took place on November 20, 2009, at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas.-Televised card:...
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:25
|Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Win
|align=center|12-2
|Anthony Ruiz
|Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina
Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina was a mixed martial arts event held by the Strikeforce. The inaugural Strikeforce Challengers event took place on May 15, 2009 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.It was broadcast live on Showtime in the United States.-Televised...
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:29
|Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, United States
|Light Heavyweight bout
|-
|Win
|align=center|11-2
|Ron Fields
|TKO (punches)
|Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:34
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|10-2
|Jaime Fletcher
|Decision (unanimous)
|ShoXC#March 21.2C 2008 card
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez is a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The town of Santa Ynez is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley, and features the Santa Ynez Airport for general aviation with a paved 2804 x 75 foot runway. The population was 4,418...
, United States
|
|-
|Loss
|align=center|10-1
|Jared Hamman
Jared Hamman
Jared Hamman is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is known for being able to take mass amounts of punishment, UFC Commentator Joe Rogan has described Hamman as having a "rubber chin".-Biography:Prior to beginning his...
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|ShoXC#October 26.2C 2007 card
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:46
|Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez is a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The town of Santa Ynez is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley, and features the Santa Ynez Airport for general aviation with a paved 2804 x 75 foot runway. The population was 4,418...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|10-0
|Jefferson Silva
Jefferson Silva
Jefferson Silva is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. He lost his last fight at EliteXC - ShoXC against Aaron Rosa on July 27, 2007.-Titles:*k-1 MMA Brazil: New Stars 2003...
|TKO (doctor stoppage)
|ShoXC#July 27.2C 2007 card
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|5:00
|Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez, California
Santa Ynez is a census-designated place in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The town of Santa Ynez is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley, and features the Santa Ynez Airport for general aviation with a paved 2804 x 75 foot runway. The population was 4,418...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|9-0
|Matt Thomas
|Decision (split)
|World Cage Fighting 1
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Southhaven, Mississippi, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|8-0
|Corey Salter
|TKO (punches)
|JJL Promotions: Sudden Impact 1
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:10
|San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|7-0
|Jesse Vasquez
|TKO (punches)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:10
|Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-0
|Anthony Trotter
|TKO (punches)
|NLE: Ultimate Fright Night
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|N/A
|Bossier City, Louisiana
Bossier City, Louisiana
Bossier City is a city in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States.As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 61,315. Bossier City is closely tied to its larger sister city Shreveport, located on the western bank of the Red River. The Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area is the...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-0
|Robert Masko
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|5:00
|Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-0
|Lance Ramoth
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|4
|align=center|0:28
|Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-0
|Patrick Miller
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:44
|Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|Matt Thompson
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, United States
|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|Shane Faulkner
|Decision (unanimous)
|Renegades Extreme Fighting
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, United States
|
|-