Charles Rosa
Charles Rosa (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background. Charles is of Italian descent and, the son of Chucky and Mary Rosa was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts. 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. He also has a sister, Teresa, and two younger brothers, Lucas and Francis. 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. Looking for a boxing gym, Rosa stumbled upon American Top Team gym, where he began to train in mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. 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. Ultimate Fighting Championship. 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. Siver won the back and forth fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, both participants earned "Fight of the Night honors. Rosa faced Sean Soriano on January 18, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 59. Rosa won the bout via submission in the third round. Rosa then faced Yair Rodríguez on June 13, 2015 at UFC 188. He lost the fight by split decision. Despite the loss, Rosa  also earned Rodríguez his second "Fight of the Night" bonus award. Rosa was originally expected to face Jimy Hettes on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. 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. Just two days later, Mendes was removed from the fight and was replaced by Kyle Bochniak. Rosa won the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa faced Shane Burgos on April 8, 2017 at UFC 210. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. Both participants were  awarded "Fight of the Night" for their performance. Rosa was expected to face Mizuto Hirota on September 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 117. However, the bout was canceled on the day of the weigh-ins as Hirota missed weight and was deemed medically unfit to compete. Rosa was expected to face Dan Ige on January 20, 2018 at UFC 220. However, on December 22, 2017, it was reported that Rosa was pulled from the event due to neck injury. After hiatus for 30 months due to neck injury, Rosa returned and faced Manny Bermudez on October 18, 2019 at  UFC on ESPN 6. 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. He won the fight via a submission in round one. This win earned him the "Performance of the Night" award. Rosa was scheduled to face Bryce Mitchell on May 2, 2020 at . However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020  at UFC 249. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa faced Kevin Aguilar on June 13, 2020 at . He won the fight via split decision. Rosa faced Darrick Minner on February 20, 2021 at . He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa faced Justin Jaynes on June 26, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 190. He won the fight by split decision. As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Rosa faced Damon Jackson on October 9, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 194. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa, as a replacement for Gabriel Benítez on three days  notice, is scheduled to face T.J. Brown on January 15, 2022 at . In conjunction with the bout, Rosa signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Personal life. In addition to competing, Rosa works as a chef at an upscale steakhouse, Cut 432, in Delray Beach, Florida.