In a sport defined by physical strength and resilience, it’s often the emotional weight behind a fighter’s journey that truly hits hardest. And for UFC’s rising phenom Raul Rosas Jr., that weight came crashing down in a moment of raw reflection. The rising bantamweight star recent remembered someone who helped shape him long before the lights and cameras ever showed up.
On Instagram, Rosas Jr. recently shared a heartfelt video featuring his late close friend Trevor Cooper, a jiu-jitsu specialist who played a major role in his early development. “Found this clip and learned a lot from them still,” he wrote. “My coach/friend/brother. Miss you brother & I know you still in my corner every fight. If you ever want to see me get tapped every 5 seconds just watch me roll with him.”
The video showed Rosas Jr. being playfully outclassed on the mats, but the real message was one of love, loss, and legacy. The UFC’s Diego Lopes responded with a simple yet powerful “May he rest in peace ,” echoing the feelings of many in the MMA community. Fighters and coaches like Alejandro Martinez, Robert Drysdale and Gilbert Smith Jr. shared their own tributes.
Cooper was just 31 when he died. To ‘El Nino Problema’, he wasn’t just a training partner, he was a key part of his journey. Known in the gym for his grappling skills and the way he pushed others to improve, Cooper left a mark on everyone around him. But outside those gym walls, he was dealing with personal struggles most never saw.
According to 8 News Now, he was involved in a tense standoff with Henderson police in 2024, which ended in his demise. The situation was complex. Legal issues, personal conflict, and a tragic outcome. While headlines focused on the worst moments, those who trained with him remember the version that mattered most.
Fans resonated with Raul Rosas Jr.’s loss and tribute
So what makes a connection like that linger long after someone is gone? Is it the hours on the mat? The silent nods after a hard round? Or maybe it’s that rare sense of knowing someone truly believed in you, before the rest of the world ever did. Fans felt that depth instantly.
“I miss Trevor so much bro. Forever missed,” one wrote. Another added some levity while still honoring the moment, “Sorry for your loss bud, but this footage resembles me trying to change my baby’s diaper.” In the face of grief, sometimes humor is the only way to hold back tears. And yet, beneath the jokes, there was a clear message—Trevor mattered. A lot. “Losing a friend is never easy, sorry for your loss. He will be with you for every fight watching from above ,” one commenter shared. Another struck a deeply personal note, “I can assure he yells with you and celebrates along when saying… CHIWIIWIIIISSS!!!”
“Miss the guy. Hell of a training partner ,” read another message. Simple, sincere, and deeply felt. There’s a certain kind of person who steps into your life and leaves an imprint far beyond the training room. Trevor Cooper was that for Rosas Jr.—a man whose impact was forged in sweat, trust, and brotherhood. And now, every time Rosas steps into the cage, he brings more than just fight IQ and talent. He brings Trevor’s spirit, too.
Maybe that’s the beauty of this tribute. It speaks to something universal. We all have someone who helped mold us into who we are. Someone we carry forward, even when they’re no longer with us. For Raul Rosas Jr., that presence lives in every jab, takedown, and victory. What about you? Have you ever had a someone who believed in you when you needed it most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “Losing a Friend Is Never Easy” — UFC 314 Star Overcome With Emotion as Fans Mourn After Heartbreaking Confession on Raul Rosas’ Jr.’s Late ‘Brother’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
