However, his road was anything but smooth.

Injuries, cancelled fights and the disruption of the pandemic created long gaps between appearances. Still, Rojas kept returning.

When he did, he developed into a dangerous finisher known for flying knees, body kicks, heavy punches and sudden bursts of violence.

Bilal Hasan Fighter Information

Who Is Nilson Rojas?

Nilson Rojas is a Peruvian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division.

He fights under the nickname “El Rayo,” which means “The Lightning” in Spanish.

The name fits a fighter whose professional victories have largely come through sudden finishes.

Rojas built his career primarily in Peru and Chile, slowly moving through the regional scene until reaching the UFC as an undefeated professional.

Where Is Nilson Rojas From?

Rojas is from Lima, Peru.

Tapology lists Peru as his country of birth and Lima as the city he fights out of.

He also speaks openly about his pride in representing Peru.

During an interview after reaching the UFC, Rojas said he loved his country and the people who had supported him from Peru and across Latin America.

Is Nilson Rojas Peruvian or Chilean?

Rojas is Peruvian.

One supplied ESPN listing displays Chile beside his profile, but the rest of the supplied information consistently identifies him with Peru.

Tapology lists him as born in Peru and fighting out of Lima. His own interviews also repeatedly describe Peru as his country and discuss representing the Peruvian flag.

Therefore, this profile identifies him as Peruvian.

What Does “El Rayo” Mean?

El Rayo translates to “The Lightning.”

Rojas explained that the nickname developed because he has always been quick when doing things.

He also connected it to his combination of speed and power.

That description matches his fighting style.

Rojas can stay patient for stretches before suddenly exploding with fast combinations or a powerful finishing strike.

When Did Nilson Rojas Start MMA?

Rojas says he has been involved in MMA since he was 16 years old.

His Instagram biography directly describes him as doing MMA from age 16.

Before becoming a professional, he built a lengthy amateur career.

That amateur experience gave him far more cage time than his relatively small professional record initially suggests.

What Was Nilson Rojas’s Amateur MMA Record?

Rojas publicly lists his amateur record as 20-3.

That means he had more than 20 amateur contests before establishing himself as an undefeated professional.

His amateur career stretched through the Peruvian regional scene and included both decisions and stoppages.

One particularly important opponent from that period was Kevin Borjas.

Did Nilson Rojas Fight Kevin Borjas?

Yes.

Rojas faced fellow Peruvian fighter Kevin Borjas as an amateur in 2018.

Borjas defeated him by unanimous decision.

That fight became Rojas’s final amateur appearance before his professional career began.

Years later, the two trained together as established professional fighters.

Rojas has spoken positively about those training rounds, particularly Borjas’s speed and explosiveness.

When Did Nilson Rojas Turn Professional?

Rojas made his professional MMA debut in 2018.

He faced Angel Soto in Lima and won by second-round TKO.

A few months later, he defeated Andres Santillana by majority decision.

Those results gave Rojas a 2-0 start.

However, his career soon became much less consistent because of circumstances outside the cage.

Why Was Nilson Rojas Inactive for So Long?

Rojas experienced an unusually interrupted regional career.

After competing in 2018 and 2019, he went roughly three years without a professional fight.

The supplied material describes a mixture of pandemic disruption, cancelled matchups, injuries and opponents withdrawing.

Therefore, the gaps in his record do not necessarily reflect a lack of interest in competing.

His career simply developed in a regional environment where consistent opportunities were difficult to maintain.

How Did Nilson Rojas Return After His Long Layoff?

Rojas returned in 2022 with one of the most memorable finishes of his career.

He faced John Alvarez in Chile and knocked him out with a flying knee just 73 seconds into the fight.

That victory began a run of increasingly violent finishes.

From there, Rojas started developing the reputation that ultimately followed him to the UFC.

How Powerful Is Nilson Rojas?

Power is one of Rojas’s defining strengths.

Seven of his nine professional victories have come by knockout or TKO.

For a flyweight, that finishing rate immediately stands out.

However, Rojas does not rely on only one kind of knockout.

His record includes stoppages from punches, a flying knee, ground strikes and body attacks.

That variety makes his offense more dangerous than a simple power-punching style.

What Is Nilson Rojas’s Fighting Style?

Rojas is an explosive striking-oriented flyweight.

He carries considerable power in his hands, but his best attacks extend beyond boxing.

His professional finishes have included:

• Flying knees
• Heavy punches
• Ground-and-pound
• Body kicks
• Punch combinations

A scouting report included in the supplied material described him as particularly dangerous when opponents become trapped near the fence, where he can unload hooks to both the head and body.

Why Are Nilson Rojas’s Body Attacks Dangerous?

Rojas does not focus exclusively on head hunting.

One of his notable professional finishes came when he hurt Wallafy Fernandes with a body kick before following with punches.

The ability to switch levels forces opponents to protect more than their head.

That becomes particularly useful when combined with his aggressive boxing and knee attacks.

Does Nilson Rojas Use Flying Knees?

Yes.

His 2022 victory over John Alvarez ended with a flying knee.

The finish came just over one minute into the first round.

That kind of attack fits the “El Rayo” identity well.

Rojas can explode forward quickly rather than relying only on traditional boxing combinations.

Does Nilson Rojas Have Submission Wins?

No professional submission victories are listed in the supplied record.

His professional wins consist of knockouts, TKOs and decisions.

That does not mean Rojas has no grappling ability.

However, his record clearly shows that striking and damage have been the defining elements of his professional success.

Has Nilson Rojas Ever Lost as a Professional?

No.

Rojas’s professional MMA record is 9-0-0.

He has never lost a professional MMA fight.

His only defeats mentioned in the supplied material came during his amateur career.

How Many Nilson Rojas Fights Have Gone to Decision?

Only two of Rojas’s first nine professional victories required the judges.

The other seven ended by knockout or TKO.

That finish-heavy record helped make him an intriguing prospect despite fighting relatively infrequently.

Who Is Nilson Rojas’s Coach?

Rojas’s head coach is Cristiano Estela.

Tapology lists Estela as his head coach, while Rojas himself also referred to “profesor Cristiano” when discussing the team supporting his career.

His interviews also refer affectionately to a coach known as “Pitbull.”

Where Does Nilson Rojas Train?

Rojas is affiliated with Pitbull Martial Arts Center in Lima.

That team has remained part of his development through the Peruvian regional scene and into higher-level competition.

Rojas has repeatedly credited his coaching staff and teammates with helping him prepare for increasingly difficult challenges.

Did Nilson Rojas Work Outside MMA?

Yes.

Before reaching the UFC level, Rojas said he did delivery work.

He recalled being on a break from deliveries when his coach called to ask whether he was ready for a fight opportunity.

Initially, Rojas did not even know exactly what the opportunity was.

He simply said yes.

That detail captures how suddenly his career changed after years of regional fighting.

How Did Nilson Rojas Reach the UFC?

Rojas took a different route from many modern prospects.

He did not earn his opportunity through Dana White’s Contender Series.

Instead, he built an undefeated regional record over several years and eventually received a direct UFC opportunity.

His final regional victory before the call came against fellow unbeaten Peruvian Gonzalo Hanampa.

Rojas won that fight by unanimous decision, improving his professional record to 9-0.

Did Nilson Rojas Know He Was Getting a UFC Opportunity?

Not immediately.

Rojas said he was resting from delivery work when his coach called and asked if he was ready to fight.

He accepted.

Only afterward did his coach explain that the opportunity involved the UFC.

Rojas remembered responding enthusiastically and saying he was ready.

After years of inconsistent opportunities, the biggest call of his career arrived unexpectedly.

What Did Reaching the UFC Mean to Nilson Rojas?

Rojas described the UFC as something he had dreamed about and visualized long before arriving there.

In an interview, he said the reality still felt difficult to fully process because competing there had existed in his imagination for so long.

The opportunity also carried national significance for him.

Rojas repeatedly spoke about representing Peru and wanting to carry the country’s flag proudly.

How Important Is Peru to Nilson Rojas?

Very important.

Rojas regularly talks about representing Peru, his neighborhood and the people who supported him before he gained wider attention.

After his UFC signing became public, he said messages began arriving from people he knew as well as complete strangers.

For Rojas, that support made the achievement feel shared rather than individual.

He has also expressed affection for fans throughout Latin America.

Why Did Nilson Rojas Change His Hair?

Rojas changed his hairstyle after reaching the UFC.

He explained that he had never previously dyed his hair but wanted a new look because he was entering a bigger stage and wanted to entertain people.

For him, fighting is not only about winning.

He also wants spectators to enjoy the experience and become excited by what he can do.

That showmanship adds another layer to a fighter who otherwise spent most of his career far away from major MMA attention.

What Is Nilson Rojas Like Outside the Cage?

Rojas comes across as energetic, patriotic and grateful.

His interviews frequently return to the people who supported him during the years when his career moved slowly.

He speaks positively about his coaches, teammates and fellow Peruvian fighters.

At the same time, Rojas has confidence in his ability.

He believes his speed and explosiveness justify the nickname “El Rayo,” and he wants his performances to entertain rather than simply secure victories.

What Makes Nilson Rojas Different?

Nilson Rojas did not arrive through the typical modern prospect pipeline.

He started MMA at 16.

Then he built a 20-fight-plus amateur career.

He turned professional in 2018 but found opportunities difficult to maintain.

There were cancellations.

There were injuries.

Then the pandemic helped create an enormous break in his career.

Still, he came back.

A flying knee announced his return.

Punches followed.

Then body attacks.

Slowly, an undefeated professional record began forming around a fighter who had spent years waiting for consistent opportunities.

Even shortly before reaching the sport’s biggest stage, Rojas was still doing delivery work.

Then one phone call changed the direction of everything.

That path helps explain why “El Rayo” is about more than speed.

His career moved slowly for years.

When the opportunity finally arrived, it arrived like lightning.

Nilson Rojas FAQ

Who is Nilson Rojas?

Nilson Rojas is an undefeated Peruvian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division.

What is Nilson Rojas’s full name?

His full name is Nilson Humberto Rojas.

What is Nilson Rojas’s nickname?

His nickname is “El Rayo.”

What does El Rayo mean?

“El Rayo” means “The Lightning” in Spanish.

Why is Nilson Rojas called El Rayo?

Rojas said the nickname comes from his natural speed, explosiveness and power.

When was Nilson Rojas born?

He was born on April 21, 1999.

Where was Nilson Rojas born?

The supplied material identifies Rojas with Lima, Peru.

What nationality is Nilson Rojas?

He is Peruvian.

What is Nilson Rojas’s heritage?

His specific heritage is not publicly stated in the supplied material.

Is Nilson Rojas Chilean?

No. Although one ESPN profile displays Chile, Rojas is identified throughout the supplied material and by himself as Peruvian.

How tall is Nilson Rojas?

Tapology lists Rojas at 5’6″ (168 cm), while another supplied profile lists him at 5’5″.

What is Nilson Rojas’s reach?

A verified reach measurement was not provided in the supplied material.

What weight class does Nilson Rojas fight in?

He competes at flyweight.

What is Nilson Rojas’s MMA record?

His professional MMA record is 9-0-0.

Has Nilson Rojas ever lost professionally?

No. He is undefeated as a professional.

What was Nilson Rojas’s amateur record?

Rojas publicly lists an amateur MMA record of 20-3.

When did Nilson Rojas start MMA?

He says he began MMA at approximately 16 years old.

When did Nilson Rojas turn professional?

He made his professional MMA debut in 2018.

How many knockout wins does Nilson Rojas have?

Seven of his nine professional victories have come by knockout or TKO.

Does Nilson Rojas have submission wins?

No professional submission victories are listed in the supplied material.

What is Nilson Rojas’s fighting style?

Rojas is an explosive striker known for fast combinations, knockout power, body attacks, knees and aggressive offense.

Has Nilson Rojas won by flying knee?

Yes. He knocked out John Alvarez with a flying knee in 2022.

Where does Nilson Rojas train?

He trains with Pitbull Martial Arts Center.

Who is Nilson Rojas’s coach?

His head coach is Cristiano Estela.

Did Nilson Rojas fight Kevin Borjas?

Yes. Kevin Borjas defeated Rojas by decision during their amateur careers.

Does Nilson Rojas train with Kevin Borjas?

Rojas has said the two have trained together and described Borjas as fast and explosive.

Did Nilson Rojas go through Dana White’s Contender Series?

No. Rojas reached the UFC through a direct signing rather than through the Contender Series.

What did Nilson Rojas do for work?

Rojas has said he did delivery work before reaching the UFC level.

Is Nilson Rojas married?

His marital status is not publicly stated in the supplied material.

Does Nilson Rojas have children?

Children are not publicly stated in the supplied material.

What religion is Nilson Rojas?

His religion is not publicly stated in the supplied material.

What is Nilson Rojas’s Instagram?

Nilson Rojas can be found on Instagram at @nilson.rojasbadboy.