2 months ago
Raul Rosas Jr. has his first main event booked in the UFC. On September 26, he takes on veteran Raoni Barcelos in the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Also, for Barcelos, it is his first main event in the UFC. The 39-year-old Brazilian is 18 years older than his opponent, Rosas Jr.
The UFC announced the UFC Vegas 121 bantamweight booking during the UFC 330 broadcast. Rosas Jr. is currently ranked No. 12 in the media rankings, while Barcelos sits at No. 13 in the media rankings and No. 9 in the meta rankings.
Raul Rosas Jr. earned his UFC contract in 2022 during the Contender Series. The 17-year-old fighter beat Mando Gutierrez via unanimous decision. Just after turning 18, Rosas Jr. burst into the UFC with a first-round face-crank submission over Jay Perrin. While he initially looked unstoppable, he suffered his first and only career defeat in his sophomore outing, losing to Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision.
He ended the year with a quick TKO win over Terrence Mitchell. In 2024, Rosas Jr. fought twice and won both times against Ricky Turcios and Aoriqileng. After also winning in 2025 against Vince Morales, the young fighter got a shot at the rankings earlier this year, taking on Rob Font. Rosas Jr. outgrappled Font to win a unanimous decision. Now, ranked in the bantamweight division, he takes on Raoni Barcelos.
Before signing with the UFC in 2018, Barcelos had already won multiple ****** les in other promotions. Barcelos had an amazing start to his UFC career, winning his first five fights and earning two bonuses for 'Fight of the Night' performances. The Brazilian fighter looked to close in on a ranking spot but had a very bad period between 2021 and 2023, winning only one of five fights.
#decision #winning #raul
The UFC announced the UFC Vegas 121 bantamweight booking during the UFC 330 broadcast. Rosas Jr. is currently ranked No. 12 in the media rankings, while Barcelos sits at No. 13 in the media rankings and No. 9 in the meta rankings.
Raul Rosas Jr. earned his UFC contract in 2022 during the Contender Series. The 17-year-old fighter beat Mando Gutierrez via unanimous decision. Just after turning 18, Rosas Jr. burst into the UFC with a first-round face-crank submission over Jay Perrin. While he initially looked unstoppable, he suffered his first and only career defeat in his sophomore outing, losing to Christian Rodriguez via unanimous decision.
He ended the year with a quick TKO win over Terrence Mitchell. In 2024, Rosas Jr. fought twice and won both times against Ricky Turcios and Aoriqileng. After also winning in 2025 against Vince Morales, the young fighter got a shot at the rankings earlier this year, taking on Rob Font. Rosas Jr. outgrappled Font to win a unanimous decision. Now, ranked in the bantamweight division, he takes on Raoni Barcelos.
Before signing with the UFC in 2018, Barcelos had already won multiple ****** les in other promotions. Barcelos had an amazing start to his UFC career, winning his first five fights and earning two bonuses for 'Fight of the Night' performances. The Brazilian fighter looked to close in on a ranking spot but had a very bad period between 2021 and 2023, winning only one of five fights.
#decision #winning #raul
3 months ago
Stefanos Tsitsipas has opened up about his decision to end his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos, while shedding light on his current partnership with coach Thomas Perrin. The Greek also highlighted the unique challenge of father-son coaching dynamics, while expressing his admiration for Ben Shelton's partnership with his father, Bryan.
Although Tsitsipas' father played a significant role in his career as his primary coach, their partnership was often turbulent, with the pair seen arguing during matches. Shortly before Wimbledon, the former world No. 3 confirmed that he had ended their coaching relationship for good, emphasizing that the split was permanent, unlike their brief separation in 2024.
Tsitsipas has since gone on to triumph at the Swiss Open Gstaad, ending a 16-month wait for his 13th tour-level **** le. After kicking off his North American hardcourt swing with a first-round loss to Alex de Minaur at the Mubadala DC Open, he entered the qualifiers for the Canadian Open.
The Greek defeated Keegan Rice 6-3, 6-4 to reach the main draw of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montréal. He then claimed a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over Martin Damm Jr. in the first round.
During his post-match press conference, Tsitsipas admitted that his coaching partnership with Thomas Perrin should have started much earlier. He said he had been "too patient" and "too nice" in the past, seemingly alluding to his dynamic with his father.
#open #perrin
Although Tsitsipas' father played a significant role in his career as his primary coach, their partnership was often turbulent, with the pair seen arguing during matches. Shortly before Wimbledon, the former world No. 3 confirmed that he had ended their coaching relationship for good, emphasizing that the split was permanent, unlike their brief separation in 2024.
Tsitsipas has since gone on to triumph at the Swiss Open Gstaad, ending a 16-month wait for his 13th tour-level **** le. After kicking off his North American hardcourt swing with a first-round loss to Alex de Minaur at the Mubadala DC Open, he entered the qualifiers for the Canadian Open.
The Greek defeated Keegan Rice 6-3, 6-4 to reach the main draw of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Montréal. He then claimed a dominant 6-4, 6-4 win over Martin Damm Jr. in the first round.
During his post-match press conference, Tsitsipas admitted that his coaching partnership with Thomas Perrin should have started much earlier. He said he had been "too patient" and "too nice" in the past, seemingly alluding to his dynamic with his father.
#open #perrin
3 months ago
England prospect Davina Perrin said she remembered she has "got the shots" after recovering from injury.
The 19-year-old was touted for England recognition last season after hammering the fastest century in the history of the women's Hundred, a 43-ball 101 for Northern Superchargers in the eliminator match.
She struck 52 from 43 deliveries in Birmingham Phoenix's 24-run defeat by Southern Brave on Thursday, her second match back after a month on the sidelines.
"It's my first like proper injury so there's so much learnings from it and that's the big thing for me, looking at what I can learn from the experience," said Perrin.
"Seeking advice where I could as well - I managed to grab a few minutes out of [former England wicketkeeper] Sarah Taylor and she gave me a really good bit of advice.
#birmingham
The 19-year-old was touted for England recognition last season after hammering the fastest century in the history of the women's Hundred, a 43-ball 101 for Northern Superchargers in the eliminator match.
She struck 52 from 43 deliveries in Birmingham Phoenix's 24-run defeat by Southern Brave on Thursday, her second match back after a month on the sidelines.
"It's my first like proper injury so there's so much learnings from it and that's the big thing for me, looking at what I can learn from the experience," said Perrin.
"Seeking advice where I could as well - I managed to grab a few minutes out of [former England wicketkeeper] Sarah Taylor and she gave me a really good bit of advice.
#birmingham
4 months ago
Japan's Aki Iwai carded a bogey-free 63 in the first round Thursday to build a two-shot lead at the Evian Championship in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Iwai, 24, teed off in the morning wave and birdied five of her last eight holes at the Evian Resort Golf Club to finish at 8 under par.
"I was able to have a good focus on my golf and stay committed. I prepared a lot around the green with chipping and putting. I was driving well, but honestly everything was good," Iwai said. "I like driver, so if I'm good and consistent with my driver (it helps). I made the good score. I like this course, it's similar to a course in ******* an."
France's Perrine Delacour fired a 6-under 65 and is alone in second place at the fourth of this season's five majors. She started on the back nine and eagled the par-5 15th hole to go with six birdies and two bogeys.
Five players are tied for third at 5 under, one shot ahead of a group of seven players.
Iwai, 24, teed off in the morning wave and birdied five of her last eight holes at the Evian Resort Golf Club to finish at 8 under par.
"I was able to have a good focus on my golf and stay committed. I prepared a lot around the green with chipping and putting. I was driving well, but honestly everything was good," Iwai said. "I like driver, so if I'm good and consistent with my driver (it helps). I made the good score. I like this course, it's similar to a course in ******* an."
France's Perrine Delacour fired a 6-under 65 and is alone in second place at the fourth of this season's five majors. She started on the back nine and eagled the par-5 15th hole to go with six birdies and two bogeys.
Five players are tied for third at 5 under, one shot ahead of a group of seven players.
4 months ago
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Aki Iwai shot an 8-under 63 for a two-stroke lead on Thursday in the first round of the Evian Championship, the fourth women's golf major of the season, as top-ranked Nelly Korda struggled.
The 24th-ranked Iwai had eight birdies and no dropped shots in the sun-splashed lakeside town that three weeks ago hosted the G7 summit of world leaders.
Japan's Iwai made birdies at three of the last four holes, including the par-5 18th, and led by two shots from Perrine Delacour, whose 6-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 15th and a pair of bogeys toward the end of her round.
A group of five players with 5-under 66s included the winner of the Women's PGA Championship two weeks ago, Haeran Ryu, and world No. 5 Charley Hull, who started the week as a guest in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Hull had two early bogeys before making the turn at level par, then came home in just 31 shots capped by an eagle at the par-5 18th. Also on 5 under were Mao Saigo, Maja Stark and Jin Hee Im.
The 24th-ranked Iwai had eight birdies and no dropped shots in the sun-splashed lakeside town that three weeks ago hosted the G7 summit of world leaders.
Japan's Iwai made birdies at three of the last four holes, including the par-5 18th, and led by two shots from Perrine Delacour, whose 6-under 65 included an eagle at the par-5 15th and a pair of bogeys toward the end of her round.
A group of five players with 5-under 66s included the winner of the Women's PGA Championship two weeks ago, Haeran Ryu, and world No. 5 Charley Hull, who started the week as a guest in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
Hull had two early bogeys before making the turn at level par, then came home in just 31 shots capped by an eagle at the par-5 18th. Also on 5 under were Mao Saigo, Maja Stark and Jin Hee Im.
