Weight Class: Flyweight
Record: 8-0
Age: 27
Height: 5’5”
Born In: Peru
Training Out Of: Team Bad Boy
Combined Opponent Records (at the time they fought): 25-20
Key Wins: N/A
MMA fans will be treated to an all-Peruvian matchup between undefeated flyweights this Wednesday when Nilson Rojas takes on his countryman Gonzalo Hanampa in the co-main event of Inka MMA 59.
Following a lengthy and very successful amateur career that closed out with a loss to current flyweight Kevin Borjas, Rojas turned pro in the summer of 2018 and secured a second-round finish before he closed out the year with a majority decision victory at Peru’s FFC 34.
That second win over Andres Santillana stands as the only time Rojas has gone the distance during his pro career, as he’s ended every other one of his fights via strikes. Half of his victories have come inside the first round, including in his two most recent outings in 2024 and 2025.
“El Rayo” has a style that will immediately endear him to most fight fans, as he’s a wild force on the feet that’s always looking for opportunities to drop his opponent. He does possess the kind of one-shot power not normally seen at flyweight, but he’s arguably even more dangerous when he has an opponent covered up along the fence and is able to unload with a barrage of strikes.
Rojas has shown off a decent jab in his last few fights, which he’ll typically use as a tool to put his opponent on the back foot and ideally get them backed up to the fence. The 27-year-old also likes to load up on his right hand and left hook as single shots and will mix in the occasional hard outside low kick and round kick to the body.
When he has an opponent hurt or covered up, Rojas will start to unload to both the head and body with barrages of hooks in way that’s reminiscent of John Lineker. He’s also happy to grab ahold of an opponent’s head and immediately start punishing them with knees.
Rojas’ clinch knees to the body and legs are also a big weapon for him when an opponent gets him pressed up against the cage. While he can be brought to the mat, he’s show off some very good balance will fending off takedown attempts, and if he ends up in top position on the ground he’ll unload with brutal ground and pound.
As exciting as he is to watch, the most frustrating thing about Rojas is that he hasn’t been able to stay especially active since turning pro. He’s now eight years into his pro career and has only fought eight times, and he last competed twice in a year in 2022.
“El Rayo” also hasn’t faced an especially high level of competition as a pro, but his fighting style and finishing ability absolutely make him someone worth keeping an eye on. He’s also signed with Iridium Sports Agency as of this year, so a win over Hanampa this week could set him up for an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series.
