Charles Rosa has signed a new UFC contract, and it starts on Saturday.
With Gabriel Benitez out, Rosa (14-6 MMA, 5-6 UFC) will step in on three days’ notice to face TJ Brown (15-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in a lightweight bout at UFC on ESPN 32 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.
Rosa confirmed the booking and a new four-fight deal (after fighting out his previous contract) to MMA Junkie on Wednesday while on a flight to Las Vegas. Ariel Helwani was first to report the news.
When asked why he accepted the fight on short notice, Rosa responded via text message: “Secured a new four fight contract and I believe in taking advantage of OPPORTUNITIES. And I always stay ready so I don’t have to get ready!! I fought 20 fights as (an) amateur and would fight every weekend. I love this and I love fighting. I’m a real fighter … I fight #9 Dennis Siver in my UFC debut 8 years ago, Stockholm Sweden, u cut 178 (pounds) to 145 on 5 days notice and earned my spot in UFC, earning fight of the night $50K (bonus) … took advantage of that opportunity, and it paid off. I’m ready to shine.”
After fighting out his UFC contract, the 35-year-old Bostonian has alternated wins and losses since joining the UFC roster in October 2014, most recently losing a unanimous decision to Damon Jackson last October at UFC Fight Night 194.
Brown, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, picked up his first octagon win in May when he edged out Kai Kamaka at UFC on ESPN 23 in May. A training partner of featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell, Brown has finished eight of his past nine wins.
With the change, the UFC on ESPN 32 lineup now includes:
- Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze
- Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia
- Rogerio Bontorin vs. Brandon Royval
- Jake Collier vs. Chase Sherman
- TJ Brown vs. Charles Rosa
- Bill Algeo vs. Joanderson Brito
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Court McGee
- Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Dakota Bush
- Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Brian Kelleher
- Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez
- Joseph Holmes vs. Jamie Pickett
