UFC on FX 2: Pete Spratt Talks Aaron Rosa's Match vs. James Te-Huna

When Pete Spratt came into contact with Aaron Rosa four years ago, he insisted that he knew right away that the young light heavyweight had a bright future in the world of mixed martial arts.

“I met Aaron just on the training scene out here in San Antonio,” Spratt, 40, recently explained to Bleacher Report. “We had mutual friends training together and just ended up hooking up. When we did, we have been working together ever since.”

“As an athlete, I was pretty impressed. He has good size, good athletic ability and agility. He is pretty fleet-footed (for) a guy that walks around at about 230 pounds.”

To be certain, Spratt emphasized that Rosa—then-undefeated in professional competition—showed more than athletic prowess and a bright future in 2007.

“When I met Aaron, he was already, like, (9-0) in MMA, so that record in itself showed me that he could excel,” recounted Spratt, who has contested nearly 50 professional matches over the course of his career. “There is nothing ‘potential’ in 9-0—that's already proving.”

Now, Spratt and Rosa train extensively together under the Rodrigo Pinheiro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu banner in San Antonio. When preparing for competition, the two train together six days a week.

“[T]he only thing we don’t do is lift weights together,” Spratt noted.

Naturally, Spratt insisted that he wasn’t taken aback when Rosa, 28, was signed by the UFC earlier this year. Prior to making his UFC debut in June of 2011, Rosa had notched victories over notable fighters such as Devin Cole and Abe Wagner, and had fought in several of North America’s top promotions.

“I wasn't surprised, but I was happy for him,” noted Spratt, who said he had long been campaigning on Rosa’s behalf to UFC management. “That is what he was working toward and to see his dream come to fruition was like being a proud big brother. I told him now that you are there, we need to make the most out of it!”

After losing his debut match in the Octagon—a third-round TKO loss to Joey Beltran at UFC 131—Rosa, after dropping back to the light-heavyweight division, edged out a majority decision victory over Matt Lucas in mid-November.

Now, in what will be Rosa’s next opportunity to “make the most” of his run in the UFC, he is to take on James Te-Huna on the UFC on FX 2 card on March 3^rd in Sydney, Australia.

According to Spratt—who is to serve as a corner man to Rosa for the second time in the UFC—a victory in Australia is within his main training partner’s reach.

“I really don’t see any major problems (Te-Huna) brings to the table,” Spratt offered. “From the old fights that I’ve seen, he is a pretty big puncher and likes to press you against the fence. But I don’t see anything we need to overly focus on.”

“For this particular fight, Aaron is going to have to be more technically-sound. He will have to keep his guard tight and throw straight punches inside of Te-Huna's looping-punches.”

“Realistically, I am going to be biased to my fighter, of course, but I see this fight probably going the distance, with Aaron being declared the winner due to superior technical striking.”

Looking past Rosa’s forthcoming match, Spratt—although he emphasized it would be foolhardy to discount any opponent in the UFC— believes his student can continue to make his mark in the Octagon.

“With a loss, you could be dropped at any time, so to remain gainfully employed he needs to win,” Spratt explained. “A win means everything!

“Aaron can be a champion in this sport. He was one fight away from fighting for the Strikeforce light-heavyweight strap, (so) I know he can get into title contention.”