Lucas Rosa is a rising MMA star blending academic excellence with fighting prowess (Photo by seacoastonline.com)
In the world of MMA, where raw talent and physical prowess often take center stage, Lucas Rosa stands out as a unique blend of intellectual curiosity and fighting prowess. In a recent interview with RG, Rosa, currently boasting an impressive 5-0 professional record, shared insights into his remarkable journey from academic halls to the octagon.
Rosa's path to professional MMA is anything but conventional. Unlike many fighters who grow up immersed in combat sports, Rosa's background is rooted in academia. "I did philosophy and creative writing in college," Rosa reveals, highlighting his diverse interests beyond the cage.
His academic pursuits culminated in a prestigious Watson Fellowship, a grant typically reserved for the brightest minds in academia. "It's like similar to Rhodes Scholar but a little bit more exclusive," Rosa explains. His project, focusing on mixed martial arts from a philosophical perspective, was groundbreaking.
"As far as I'm aware, it's the only academic grant that's ever been given for an MMA-based project," he proudly states.
This fellowship took Rosa on a global journey, immersing him in various martial arts cultures. "I lived in Cambodia doing this ancient martial art called bokota, muay thai in Thailand for six months, and did Dutch kickboxing in the northern Netherlands," he recounts. This experience was transformative, solidifying his passion for MMA. "Once I did that right after college, like I knew I'm like, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life," Rosa affirms.
Upon returning to the United States, Rosa's commitment to MMA intensified. He moved to South Florida, which he considers "the Mecca of MMA," to train with American Combat Gym. The results were impressive: "They took me from being zero and zero to being the top amateur in the country within two and a half years," he says.
Rosa's amateur career was extensive and purposeful. He amassed an impressive record, with some sources citing 9-1, though Rosa clarifies, "I ended up actually having, like, I think it was, I was, like, 17 or 18 fights." This extensive amateur experience was strategic. "Any time in the cage you get sort of amounts to, I feel like, almost a month of training each round almost," Rosa explains, emphasizing the invaluable learning opportunities these fights provided.
Rosa's transition to professional fighting has been nothing short of spectacular. In just seven months, he achieved a 5-0 professional record, a feat he pursued with unwavering determination. "I just remember how disappointed I was," Rosa recalls about a canceled debut fight in February. This setback fueled his ambition: "I remember thinking to myself, like, you know, you're gonna get to 4-0, 5-0 by the end of the year."
Rosa's success is not just about quantity but quality. He prides himself on his finishing ability, crediting his coach Charles McCarthy for instilling a "violent style of jujitsu." This approach has paid dividends: "All of them were under two minutes and they're pretty much all like because of my jujitsu finishing ability," Rosa notes about his professional fights.
Despite his rapid rise, Rosa maintains a thoughtful, almost academic approach to his fighting career. He balances skill-building with fight preparation, taking on more private sessions to continue his development. "I need to be skill building as I'm getting better in these fights," he explains.
Looking ahead, Rosa's ambitions are clear and lofty. "My goals are really lofty," he states, emphasizing his desire to not just participate in the sport but to excel and potentially revolutionize it. His approach combines the physical demands of MMA with a philosophical outlook: "I want to try to change it to a more like thinking about it more as pursuit of knowledge".
As Lucas Rosa continues his ascent in the MMA world, he represents a new breed of fighter – one who brings intellectual depth and a global perspective to the sport. With his unique background, impressive record, and thoughtful approach to fighting, Rosa is undoubtedly a rising star to watch in MMA.
Garrett Kerman
