Charles Rosa

Charles Rosa (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional since 2012, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background
Charles, of Italian descent is the son of Chucky and Mary Rosa and 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.

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 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.

I had that moment where the doctor said, ‘You should consider hanging it up [due to your neck injury]'. That almost brought tears to my eyes when he said that. There was silence in the room. I stopped and I said, ‘What’s the other option? He didn’t really say, so I told him what the other option is: ‘I’m going to defy all odds and I’m going to beat this. I’m going to work hard and I’m going to do everything I can possibly do to come back.

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 UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman. 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 UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. He won the fight via split decision.

Rosa faced Darrick Minner on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis. 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 UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze. In conjunction with the bout, Rosa signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rosa faced Nathaniel Wood on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

On August 10, 2023, it was announced that Rosa was no longer on the UFC roster.

Personal life
In addition to competing, Rosa works as a chef at an upscale steakhouse.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Dennis Siver, Yair Rodríguez, and Shane Burgos
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Manny Bermudez
 * CES MMA World lightweight Champion