Charles is of Italian descent and, the son of Chucky and Mary Rosa was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts. Rosa's father, grandfather, and uncle were all professional boxers. Rosa had two older brothers, Domenic and Vincent, who both died from accidental drug overdoses. He also a sister, Teresa, and two younger brothers, Lucas and Francis. Growing up, Rosa played football, hockey, lacrosse, and also trained in karate. Rosa continued playing lacrosse at Johnson & Wales University, where he also earned a degree in the culinary arts. After graduating from the college, Rosa later relocated to Florida to find a fresh start. Looking for a boxing gym, Rosa stumbled upon American Top Team gym, where he began to train in mixed martial arts.
Rosa compiled an amateur MMA record of 11-2 and made his professional debut in 2012 competing in regional promotions across the Northeastern United States. He compiled an undefeated record of 9-0, finishing all of his opponents before signing with the UFC in the summer of 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Rosa made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement against Dennis Siver on October 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 53, replacing an injured Robert Whiteford. Siver won the back and forth fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, both participants earned Fight of the Night honors. Rosa faced Sean Soriano on January 18, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 59. Rosa won the bout via submission in the third round. Rosa then faced Yair Rodríguez on June 13, 2015 at UFC 188. He lost the fight by split decision. Despite the loss, Rosa also earned Rodríguez his second Fight of the Night bonus award. Rosa was originally expected to face Jimy Hettes on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Hettes pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event and was very briefly replaced by promotional newcomer Augusto Mendes. Just two days later, Mendes was removed from the fight and was replaced by Kyle Bochniak. Rosa won the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa faced Shane Burgos on April 8, 2017 at UFC 210. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance. Rosa was expected to face Mizuto Hirota on September 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 117. However, the bout was canceled on the day of the weigh-ins as Hirota missed weight and was deemed medically unfit to compete. Rosa was expected to face Dan Ige on January 20, 2018 at UFC 220. However, on December 22, 2017, it was reported that Rosa was pulled from the event due to neck injury. After hiatus for 30 months due to neck injury, Rosa returned and faced Manny Bermudez on October 18, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 6. At the weigh-in, Bermudez weighed in at 148 pounds, 2 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146. The bout was held at catchweight. Bermudez was fined 20% of his purse which went to Rosa. He won the fight via a submission in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night'' award. Rosa was scheduled to face Bryce Mitchell on May 2, 2020 at. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponedand the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020 at UFC 249. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Rosa faced Kevin Aguilar on June 13, 2020 at. He won the fight via split decision.
