Introduction
Aaron Isaac Rosa (born May 28, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, he has also competed for the UFC, 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.
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.
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. Rosa then defeated 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. 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.
Rosa had his next Light Heavyweight bout against James Te-Huna on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2. Rosa lost via TKO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.
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.
Personal life
Rosa is married and has a daughter.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 17 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 17–6 | Mikhail Zayats | Submission (kimura) | Bellator 103 | 000000002013-10-11-0000October 11, 2013 | 1 | 0:47 | Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 17–5 | James Te-Huna | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann | 000000002012-03-03-0000March 3, 2012 | 1 | 2:08 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 17–4 | Matt Lucas | Decision (majority) | UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos | 000000002011-11-12-0000November 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | Return to Light Heavyweight |
| Loss | 16–4 | Joey Beltran | TKO (punches) | UFC 131 | 000000002011-06-11-0000June 11, 2011 | 3 | 1:26 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Heavyweight bout |
| Win | 16–3 | Abe Wagner | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Titan FC 17: Lashley vs. Ott | 000000002011-03-25-0000March 25, 2011 | 2 | 0:35 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Heavyweight bout |
| Win | 15–3 | Devin Cole | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley | 000000002010-09-11-0000September 11, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | Heavyweight bout |
| Win | 14–3 | Jay Peche | TKO (punches) | ABG: Promotions | 000000002010-07-17-0000July 17, 2010 | 1 | 4:47 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Robert Villegas | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 20 | 000000002010-05-27-0000May 27, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Light Heavyweight bout |
| Loss | 12–3 | Rafael Cavalcante | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears | 000000002009-11-20-0000November 20, 2009 | 2 | 3:25 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Light Heavyweight bout |
| Win | 12–2 | Anthony Ruiz | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina | 000000002009-05-15-0000May 15, 2009 | 1 | 4:29 | Fresno, California, United States | Light Heavyweight bout |
| Win | 11–2 | Ron Fields | TKO (punches) | Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow | 000000002008-06-14-0000June 14, 2008 | 2 | 0:34 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Jaime Fletcher | Decision (unanimous) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | 000000002008-03-21-0000March 21, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Jared Hamman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | 000000002007-10-26-0000October 26, 2007 | 2 | 1:46 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Jefferson Silva | TKO (doctor stoppage) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | 000000002007-07-27-0000July 27, 2007 | 1 | 5:00 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Matt Thomas | Decision (split) | World Cage Fighting 1 | 000000002007-06-23-0000June 23, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | Southhaven, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Corey Salter | TKO (punches) | JJL Promotions: Sudden Impact 1 | 000000002007-02-27-0000February 27, 2007 | 3 | 0:10 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Jesse Vasquez | TKO (punches) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002007-01-20-0000January 20, 2007 | 2 | 0:10 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Anthony Trotter | TKO (punches) | NLE: Ultimate Fright Night | 000000002006-10-28-0000October 28, 2006 | 2 | N/A | Bossier City, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Robert Masko | Decision (unanimous) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002006-09-30-0000September 30, 2006 | 4 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Lance Ramoth | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002006-06-17-0000June 17, 2006 | 4 | 0:28 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Patrick Miller | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002006-03-25-0000March 25, 2006 | 1 | 0:44 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Matt Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002006-02-10-0000February 10, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Shane Faulkner | Decision (unanimous) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | 000000002005-11-05-0000November 5, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States |