WATCH: Youngest UFC Star Uses 0 Punches to Defeat Undefeated Boxer in MMA vs. Boxing spar

UFC's youngest star Raul Rosas Jr spars with undefeated boxer Emiliano Vargas and shows the dominance of MMA.

WATCH: Youngest UFC Star Uses 0 Punches to Defeat Undefeated Boxer in MMA vs. Boxing spar

Raul Rosas Jr beats boxer Emiliano Vargas with ease (via X)

Boxing and MMA are currently two of the most popular combat sports in the world with massive fan following. While boxing has several top promotions, UFC is undoubtedly the biggest MMA promotion in the world. As expected, the debate around MMA vs. Boxing has been around for a long time and recently, fans got a clear answer for that.

Raul Rosas Jr is the youngest ever UFC fighter, currently on a dream run with five wins and only one loss. Due to his proud Mexican-American background, the fighter recently collaborated with undefeated young boxer Emiliano Vargas. Both fighters shared a playful faceoff and then participated in a fun and friendly light sparring match that went viral on the internet.

From the get-go, Rosas Jr kept the boxer in check using multiple side kicks and front kicks. While Vargas relied on his boxing skills, Rosas Jr didn’t waste time and quickly shot for a strong takedown attempt. Vargas defended the first try well, but on Rosas Jr’s second attempt, the UFC prospect successfully forced the boxer to tap.

Rosas Jr dominated the sparring session purely through grappling, never needing a punch, highlighting MMA’s strength over pure striking disciplines. Many UFC veterans like Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Conor McGregor have ventured into boxing, testing their striking against traditional specialists.
Boxers rarely enter MMA due to the threat of kicks and takedowns, which dramatically alter the dynamics of a fight.

Emiliano Vargas is currently one of the most popular young fighters in the boxing scene with a major fan following. His explosive knockouts, smooth footwork have made him a standout among boxing’s rising new generation. His social media presence and humble personality further boost his appeal, attracting both hardcore boxing fans and casual sports followers alike.

In the viral video’s comments, many fans praised the boxer for sharing his loss, showing humility despite having a growing following. Meanwhile, Rosas Jr is chasing history, aiming to become the youngest UFC champion ever and break Jon Jones‘ record. In order to do that, Rosas Jr must win a UFC title before 2028, when he turns twenty-three.

The stark difference in boxing and UFC pay-per-view sales

For a long time, there has been a debate around the unfair purses in UFC in comparison with boxing. Boxing superstars earn higher pay due to flexible promotions and bigger revenue cuts, while UFC stars thrive on consistent branding and rivalries.

Boxing relies on rare mega-events for massive pay-per-view sales, whereas UFC hosts monthly shows with steady but often smaller sales numbers. In recent times, both products have somewhat failed to attract big PPV buys. Nevertheless, the pay structure has yet to be affected.

The difference in fight purse between boxing and UFC
The difference in fight purse between boxing and UFC (via X)

Boxers negotiate independently, gaining financial control, while UFC fighters operate under contracts with limited bargaining power. Overall, boxing prioritizes individual profit and prestige, while UFC emphasizes brand dominance, consistent content, and controlled fighter compensation. UFC veteran Joe Rogan recently, in one of his podcasts, talked about this in detail and shared his reasoning.

I think in general, the pay-per-view numbers are down as well, because the casuals aren’t buying as much because you don’t… First of all, the UFC is not like boxing. A boxing pay-per-view is, like, ‘Oh, Canelo’s fighting in four months,’ and then you gear up and you buy the Canelo Alvarez pay-per-view. If you’re a big boxing fan, you might buy one once every couple of buys. If you’re hardcore, you’re watching all of them….The UFC has a pay-per-view….every month, and they have a fight every week.

As a result, most boxers lack motivation to join the UFC, given lower earnings and tighter promotional control. Conversely, top UFC names often seek hybrid boxing deals, hoping for financial freedom, but organizational constraints usually block those crossover ambitions completely.

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