UFC fighter Raul Rosas Jr. receives a warm welcome in Sonoma County

Raul Rosas Jr. is back in Sonoma County.

Rosas, a UFC bantamweight fighter, returned to Elsie Allen High School on Friday to meet with students.

“It feels good to be able to come back and give back to my Elsie Allen community,” Rosas said. “I'm still the same kid I was when I was a student here, just in a different situation. It means a lot to me to be able to motivate these kids and show them that they can make it anywhere they want to make it.”

In addition to meeting the rising UFC superstar, attendees were also able to purchase products from his merchandise line printed with the word “Chiwiwis,” a cheer Rosas became known for after his last fight.

The 19-year-old attended both Montgomery and Elsie High School. He started as a Viking but became a Lobo after his freshman year and remained there until the spring of his senior year. In junior high, he attended Cook Middle School, now Cesar Chavez Language Academy.

Rosas “is actually the one who reached out to me and said he wanted to do this,” said Gabriel Albavera, principal of the Elsie Allen School, who has known the fighter since eighth grade. “It means a lot to our kids because this is someone who has walked the same halls as him. To see him, to hear him, to talk to him and to experience this success, I don't think I can put into words how much this means to me.”

“El Niño Problema,” as Rosas is known in the Octagon, is the youngest fighter on the UFC roster and became the youngest fighter in UFC history at age 18. He has a 9-1 overall record and a 3-1 record in the organization, with two wins by knockout, six by submission and six first-round stoppages. He won his most recent fight on June 8 against Ricky Turcios by second-round submission.

His next fight will take place on September 14th as part of the UFC 306 tournament at The Sphere in Las Vegas. He will fight Aoriqileng, also known as “The Mongolian Killer,” who has an overall record of 25-10. The pay-per-view event celebrates Mexican Independence Day and Mexican combat sports, something that is incredibly close to Rosas’ heart.

“I'm excited to be here and represent my Mexican heritage,” said Rosas, who has been at the combat training camp for a little over six weeks. “I'm excited to go out there and represent my people and put on a show like I always do. I can't wait.”

Reach staff writer Kienan O'Doherty at 415-887-8650 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @kodoherty22.