sport news Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort, Nick Diaz and more - how UFC's youngest fighters fared trends now
Raul Rosas Jr could be a name MMA fans remember for years to come, or he might crash and burn - overcome by the pressure of too much too soon.
The youngster hit the headlines this week for securing a contract with the UFC by winning on Dana White's Contender Series at the tender age of 17 years and 348 days.
He is the youngest fighter to ever put pen to paper with the world's leading MMA promotion and could yet become the youngest to make his full debut.
Dana White described him as 'special' and batted away questions over whether the starlet was already prepared for the big time.
Mexican Raul Rosas Jr, 17, has made history by becoming the youngest ever UFC fighter, earning a contract when he defeated Mando Gutierrez on the Dana White Contender Series
Rosas Jr, who is unbeaten in his six professional bouts, is full of confidence too, proclaiming: 'I know what I can do, and (White) knows what I can do. Well, he really doesn’t, but he will know what I can do out there.
'I would fight this Saturday, but I heard there’s no event this Saturday, so I’ll fight when they have another event. I’m just ready to go out there and get the kill.
'I know it won’t be easy, but nothing is easy in this life. I will become the youngest UFC champion. I don’t care what it takes, nobody is going to take this away from me.'
Rosas Jr will join an elite club of prodigious talents to enter the UFC at a young age. So who are the youngest fighters in history and how did their careers pan out?
Muhammad Mokaev UFC debut - 21 years and 232 daysThe British rising star is tipped by many as a future champion. Like Rosas Jr, he is also aiming to become the youngest fighter to have the belt wrapped around their waist in history.
He is already sensationally well-rounded and an entertaining watch. The flyweight has not yet tasted defeat and submitted Cody Durden in fine style in the very first round of their clash earlier this year in London.
Muhammad Mokaev (left) is one of Britain's next big hopes in the UFC and is still undefeated
He followed that up by beating Charles Johnson, again on home soil, and the sky is the limit for Mokaev.
Having moved to the UK from Russia at a young age, the youngster's story is a fascinating one. He was placed in a refugee camp upon arrival before the Home Office moved him and his father to Wigan.
After training at a youth centre, he quickly realised his talent for martial arts and the rest is history.
Jon Jones UFC debut: 21 years and 21 daysHeard of him? Arguably the greatest MMA fighter ever, depending on whether or not you discount him from the conversation over failed drugs tests, Jones is the standout name from this list.
He became the youngest UFC champion in history by beating Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua back in 2010.
And despite the extra-curricular controversies, of which there is a list as long as your arm, he has set the benchmark over the last decade.
Jon Jones has done it all in the UFC over the years and was the youngest champion in history
Jones has won 15 fights with a title on the line and his only ever defeat was due to a questionable disqualification for illegal use of the elbow.
'Bones' has been out of action for more than two years now having decided to move up to heavyweight but the story is far from over.
He is likely to make his debut in the division in the coming months and who would bet against him adding to his legacy by becoming two-weight champion?
Michael McDonald UFC debut: 20 years and 103 daysThe Californian bantamweight is one of the few fighters on this list to have called it a day.
He is only 30 but decided to hang up the gloves following an impressive nine-year stint. McDonald started his amateur career at just 14-years-old so there are more miles on the clock than it seems.
McDonald won 19 of 23 professional fights, fought nine times in the UFC and then retired after two scraps for Bellator.
Michael McDonald (right) is now retired but enjoyed a solid run in nine years with the UFC
Hooper is a popular and recognisable face on the UFC circuit already and the featherweight has a bright future.
His results have been mixed so far with three wins and two defeats but he is gaining valuable experience at the top level at such a young age.
Hooper's talents were spotted early and he was signed to a professional outfit with just five amateur fights to his name.
He then went on to amass an unbeaten record in 10, including a win on Dana White's Contender Series, before the big show called him up.
Max Holloway UFC debut: 20 years and 60 daysOne of the most popular fighters on the roster, Holloway was in the conversation among the
