Julian Erosa
American mixed martial arts fighter
Julian Erosa (born July 31, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist . He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship . Erosa is also a former CageSport Featherweight and Lightweight Champion.[ 6]
Background
The son of Ricardo and Debbie Erosa, Julian was born in Seattle, Washington but moved to Yakima growing up.[ 1] [ 7] Julian has a younger brother, Ricky. Growing up Julian was an avid skateboarder and snowboarder.[ 5] During his skateboarding years, he frequently got into fights and eventually drifted into mixed martial arts in his late teens.[ 5] He graduated from Eisenhower High School and followed his mother's footsteps by studying accounting for a couple of years in Central Washington University before dropping out.[ 8] [ 9]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After going 10–0 as an amateur, Erosa began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2010.[ 10] He fought primarily in the Pacific Northwest region, mostly in the CageSport promotion. After racking up 7–0 record, he faced Ryan Mulvihill in a rematch for the vacant CageSport Featherweight Championship at CageSport 19 on April 28, 2012.[ 6] He won the title but was not able to defend it in a match against Drew Brokenshire at CageSport 22 on December 1, 2012.[ 11]
After losing the title, Erosa went 3–1 before receiving a title shot for the vacant CageSport (in a prevailing collaboration with Super Fight League ) Lightweight Championship. He faced Harrison Bevens at SFL America 2 on December 13, 2014 and claimed the title via knockout. Subsequently, he was pitted against Drew Brokenshire in a rematch for the vacant CageSport Featherweight Championship at SFL America 3 on February 21, 2015. He avenged the previous loss and became simultaneous two-division champion via third-round submission.[ 12]
The Ultimate Fighter
Erosa was then picked to be a part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber , in which he advanced from the preliminary fights by defeating Jason Soares via unanimous decision.[ 13]
In the elimination round, Erosa faced Mehdi Baghdad . Erosa won the fight via majority decision, advancing into quarter-finals where he took on Abner Lloveras . Erosa advanced to the semi-finals via a split decision victory.[ 14]
In the semi-finals Erosa met the season's would-be runner-up Artem Lobov . He was eliminated from the tournament via first-round knockout loss.[ 15]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Despite being eliminated from the tournament, Erosa signed a contract with the UFC and made his promotional debut against fellow The Ultimate Fighter alumni Marcin Wrzosek at The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale on December 11, 2015. Erosa won the fight via split decision.[ 16]
He would then face Teruto Ishihara at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016. Erosa lost the fight via second-round knockout and was subsequently released from the promotion.[ 17]
Return to Cagesport and Other Organizations
After his release from the UFC, went on to fight at a variety of organizations, including Prime Fighting, where he would win the Featherweight title with a TKO win over Austin Springer, as well as losing to Paddy Pimblett in the Cage Warriors Featherweight title fight, in a highly controversial unanimous decision.[ 18] [ 19] He would then return to Cage Sports, where he would win back the Lightweight title and defend it again against Justin Harrington,[ 20] before losing it in a TKO loss to Bobby McIntyre.[ 21] He would have a one fight stint GKO, winning his only fight by TKO, before returning to Cagesports and winning back the Lightweight title against Bryan Nuro, in a unanimous decision.[ 22] He would fight on Dana White's Contender Series 11 , and although he won the fight against Jamall Emmers by knockout, he was not offered a UFC contract.[ 23]
Return to UFC
Although he did not earn a direct contract after his DWCS fight, Erosa was signed to fight against fellow DWCS alumni Devonte Smith at UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez .[ 24] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[ 25]
Erosa faced Grant Dawson on March 9, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos .[ 26] He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was briefly released from the promotion.[ 27]
Erosa was offered a quick return to face Julio Arce on May 18, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 151 , despite being released from the promotion after the previous loss.[ 1] [ 28] He lost the fight via knockout in the third round and was released once again.[ 29] [ 30]
After the release, Erosa picked up one win in his native CageSport and was brought back as a late replacement for Kyle Nelson , who had visa issues, against Sean Woodson at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker .[ 31] He won the fight via D'arce choke in the third round.[ 30] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 32]
Erosa faced Nate Landwehr on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis .[ 33] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[ 34]
Erosa faced Seung Woo Choi on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25 .[ 35] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 36]
Erosa replaced Lerone Murphy on short notice against Charles Jourdain on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 .[ 37] [ 38] He won the fight via a submission in round three.[ 39]
Erosa faced Steven Peterson on February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 200 .[ 40] At the weigh-ins, Peterson weighed in at 149 pounds, three pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Peterson was fined 30% of his purse, which will go to his opponent.[ 41] Erosa won the fight via split decision.[ 42] 13 out of 18 media scores gave it to Erosa.[ 43] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award and also Peterson's bonus due to his weight miss.[ 44]
Erosa faced Hakeem Dawodu on September 10, 2022 at UFC 279 .[ 45] At the weigh-ins, Dawodu weighed in at 149.5 pounds, 3.5 pounds over the non-title featherweight limit. Dawodu was fined 30% of his purse, which will go to his opponent Erosa.[ 46] Erosa won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 47]
Erosa faced Alex Caceres on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216 .[ 48] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[ 49]
Erosa faced Fernando Padilla on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón .[ 50] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[ 51]
Erosa faced Ricardo Ramos on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53 .[ 52] He won the fight with a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[ 53]
Erosa faced Christian Rodriguez on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59 .[ 54] He won the fight again by a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[ 55]
Personal life
Erosa has been married to Alaina Evans since mid-2016.[ 56] He is non-religious .[ 5] His son was born on March 15, 2024.[ 53]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
CageSport
CageSport Featherweight Champion (two times)
CageSport Lightweight Champion (three times)[ 20] [ 22]
One title defense (second reign)
Prime Fighting
Prime Fighting Featherweight Champion (one time)
MMAjunkie.com
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
41 matches
30 wins
11 losses
By knockout
11
7
By submission
14
0
By decision
5
4
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
30–11
Christian Rodriguez
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez
July 13, 2024
1
4:49
Denver, Colorado , United States
Win
29–11
Ricardo Ramos
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas
March 23, 2024
1
2:15
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
28–11
Fernando Padilla
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón
April 29, 2023
1
1:41
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
28–10
Alex Caceres
TKO (head kick and punches)
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland
December 17, 2022
1
3:04
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
28–9
Hakeem Dawodu
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 279
September 10, 2022
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (149.5 lb) bout; Dawodu missed weight.
Win
27–9
Steven Peterson
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland
February 5, 2022
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (149 lb) bout; Peterson missed weight. Fight of the Night.
Win
26–9
Charles Jourdain
Submission (brabo choke)
UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till
September 4, 2021
3
2:56
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss
25–9
Choi Seung-woo
KO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige
June 19, 2021
1
1:37
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
25–8
Nate Landwehr
TKO (flying knee)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis
February 20, 2021
1
0:56
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
24–8
Sean Woodson
Submission (brabo choke)
UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker
June 27, 2020
3
2:44
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (150 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win
23–8
AJ Bryant
Submission (bulldog choke)
CageSport 60
February 22, 2020
1
4:43
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Loss
22–8
Julio Arce
KO (head kick)
UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee
May 18, 2019
3
1:49
Rochester, New York , United States
Loss
22–7
Grant Dawson
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos
March 9, 2019
3
5:00
Wichita, Kansas , United States
Return to Featherweight.
Loss
22–6
Devonte Smith
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez
November 10, 2018
1
0:46
Denver, Colorado , United States
Win
22–5
Jamall Emmers
KO (head kick and punches)
Dana White's Contender Series 11
June 26, 2018
2
1:10
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Featherweight bout.
Win
21–5
Bryan Nuro
Decision (unanimous)
CageSport 48
December 16, 2017
5
5:00
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Won the CageSport Lightweight Championship.
Win
20–5
Erick Sánchez
TKO (punches)
Global Knockout 11
November 4, 2017
3
4:32
Jackson, California , United States
Featherweight bout.
Loss
19–5
Bobby McIntyre
TKO (punches)
CageSport 46
July 15, 2017
1
3:58
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Lost the CageSport Lightweight Championship.
Win
19–4
Justin Harrington
KO (knees and punches)
CageSport 45
April 22, 2017
1
4:09
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Defended the CageSport Lightweight Championship.
Win
18–4
Justin Harrington
Submission (triangle choke)
CageSport 44
February 25, 2017
1
2:23
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Won the CageSport Lightweight Championship.
Loss
17–4
Paddy Pimblett
Decision (unanimous)
Cage Warriors: Unplugged
November 12, 2016
5
5:00
London , England
For the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship .
Win
17–3
Austin Springer
TKO (punches)
Prime Fighting 8
October 8, 2016
2
3:15
Ridgefield, Washington , United States
Won the Prime Fighting Featherweight Championship.
Win
16–3
Daniel Swain
TKO (doctor stoppage)
KOTC: Battle Zone
May 19, 2016
2
5:00
Worley, Idaho , United States
Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss
15–3
Teruto Ishihara
KO (punches)
UFC 196
March 5, 2016
2
0:34
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
15–2
Marcin Wrzosek
Decision (split)
The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale
December 11, 2015
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Lightweight bout.
Win
14–2
Drew Brokenshire
Submission (brabo choke)
CageSport 34
February 21, 2015
3
4:35
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Won the vacant CageSport (SFL USA) Featherweight Championship.
Win
13–2
Harrison Bevens
KO (knee)
CageSport 33
December 13, 2014
2
2:10
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Won the vacant CageSport (SFL USA) Lightweight Championship.
Win
12–2
Ryan Mulvihill
Submission (triangle choke)
KOTC: Seek and Destroy
May 22, 2014
2
4:19
Worley, Idaho , United States
Return to Lightweight.
Win
11–2
Mike Joy
TKO (punches)
CageSport 29
February 8, 2014
2
2:28
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss
10–2
Lee Morrison
Decision (unanimous)
CageSport 25
July 6, 2013
3
5:00
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Win
10–1
Jason Gybels
Submission (triangle choke)
CageSport 24
April 27, 2013
2
3:49
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss
9–1
Drew Brokenshire
Decision (unanimous)
CageSport 22
December 1, 2012
5
5:00
Fife, Washington , United States
Lost the CageSport Featherweight Championship.
Win
9–0
Jason Gybels
KO (punch)
CageSport 21
September 29, 2012
1
4:36
Fife, Washington , United States
Lightweight bout.
Win
8–0
Ryan Mulvihill
Submission (armbar)
CageSport 19
April 28, 2012
4
1:48
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Featherweight debut. Won the CageSport Featherweight Championship.
Win
7–0
Jerome Jones
Submission (armbar)
CageSport 18
February 25, 2012
2
4:30
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Win
6–0
Matt Coble
Submission (rear-naked choke)
CageSport 17
December 3, 2011
3
3:31
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Lightweight bout.
Win
5–0
Ernesto Toscano
Decision (unanimous)
CageSport 16
October 1, 2011
3
5:00
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Win
4–0
John Martinez
TKO (punches)
Lords of the Cage
June 10, 2011
3
3:24
Yakima, Washington , United States
Win
3–0
Ryan Mulvihill
Submission (brabo choke)
CageSport 14
April 23, 2011
2
1:23
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Win
2–0
Omar Avelar
Submission (armbar)
CageSport 13
February 19, 2011
2
2:32
Tacoma, Washington , United States
Win
1–0
Angel Diaz
KO (punches)
CageSport 12
October 2, 2010
1
2:16
Tacoma, Washington , United States
[ 58]
Exhibition record breakdown
4 matches
3 wins
1 loss
By knockout
0
1
By decision
3
0
[ 59]
See also
References
^ a b c Mike Heck (February 10, 2020). Erosa: 'UFC may not be done with me' .
^ "Julian Erosa | UFC" . UFC.com . 14 September 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2021 .
^ "Stats | UFC" . ufcstats.com . Retrieved 2021-02-20 .
^ Tammy Ayer (March 1, 2016). " 'Juicy J' Erosa's fighting for his big chance in MMA" . yakimaherald.com.
^ a b c d e The Setup Podcast #5 - Julian Erosa . January 31, 2018.
^ a b Mike Renouard. "CAGESPORT XIX - April 28th, 2012" . nwfightsecene.com .
^ "Ricardo David Erosa" . legacy.com .
^ Tammy Ayer (March 1, 2016). " 'Juicy J' Erosa's fighting for his big chance in MMA" . Yakima Herald .
^ Jim Norton ; Matt Serra (February 8, 2022). "Julian Erosa, "Letterkenny" star Andrew Herr, and guest co-host Brendan Fitzgerald" (Podcast).
^ Interview with Julian Juicy J Erosa MMA . May 17, 2017.
^ Mike Renouard (September 29, 2012). "CageSport XXI - September 29th, 2012" . nwfightscene.com .
^ Mike Renouard (February 21, 2015). "Super Fight League 37: America 3 - February 21st 2015" . nwfightscene.com .
^ "Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber' " . MMA Junkie . 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ "Episode No. 6 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber' " . MMA Junkie . 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ "Episode No. 12 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 22: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber' " . MMA Junkie . 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ "TUF 22 Finale results: Julian Erosa edges Marcin Wrzosek for split decision win" . MMA Junkie . 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (November 10, 2018). "Julian Erosa brings TUF, Contender Series, UFC experience to second Octagon run" . mmafighting.com.
^ Fernanda Prates (November 12, 2016). "JCage Warriors: Unplugged results: Paddy Pimblett retains title, vomits on canvas" . mmajunkie.
^ Lee, Alexander K. (2022-03-17). "Retro Robbery Review: Paddy Pimblett vs. Julian Erosa at Cage Warriors: Unplugged" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2022-05-09 .
^ a b "Julian Erosa Defends Title, Defeats Harrington at CageSport 45" . REAL COMBAT MEDIA . 2017-04-23. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ Docket, Combat (2017-07-16). "CageSport 46: A Night of Finishes and a Title Changes Hands" . Combat Docket . Archived from the original on 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ a b "Brian Halquist Productions" . www.halquistproductions.com . Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ Staff (2018-06-26). "DWTNCS 11 Results and Recap" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (2018-11-03). "Devonte Smith vs. Julian Erosa added to UFC Denver" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 2019-08-17 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2018-11-10). "UFC Denver Results: Devonte Smith Debuts in Style, Finishes Julian Erosa Early" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-08-17 .
^ Bennett, Matt (2019-03-08). "Grant Dawson: "The Prophet" makes his debut at UFC Wichita" . The Body Lock . Retrieved 2020-03-02 .
^ Harshman, Heath (2019-05-18). "UFC Rochester Results: Relentless Grant Dawson Earns Submission Win Over Mike Trizano" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2020-03-02 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2019-04-04). "Julio Arce makes an appearance against Julian Erosa during UFC Rochester" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-04-04 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2019-05-18). "UFC Rochester Results: Julio Arce Floors Julian Erosa With Head Kick" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2019-05-19 .
^ a b Matt Erickson (2019-06-29). "Julian Erosa makes most of his third stint in UFC" . mmajunkie. Retrieved 2019-06-29 .
^ TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD (2019-06-23). "JULIAN EROSA REPLACES KYLE NELSON, FACES SEAN WOODSON AT UFC ON ESPN 12" . sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-06-29 .
^ a b Dan Hiergesell (2020-06-28). "UFC on ESPN 12 bonuses! Poirier, Hooker cash out in memorable main event" . mmamania.com. Retrieved 2020-06-28 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2021-01-15). "Julian Erosa vs. Nate Landwehr added to UFC event on February 20" . mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2021-01-15 . (in Dutch)
^ Anderson, Jay (2021-02-20). "UFC Vegas 19 Results: Julian Erosa Lands Flying Knee on Nate Landwehr" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-02-20 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2021-03-12). "Julian Erosa vs. Seung Woo Choi toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 19 juni" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-03-07 .
^ Behunin, Alex (2021-06-19). "UFC Vegas 29 Results: Seung Woo Choi Knocks Out Julian Erosa In Round One" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-06-20 .
^ Jamal Boussenaf (2021-08-24). "BREAKING: Julian Erosa nieuwe tegenstander van Charles Jourdain op 4 september" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-08-25 .
^ Julian Erosa still wants Steven Peterson fight next . MMAjunkie.com . September 4, 2021.
^ Doherty, Dan (2021-09-04). "UFC Vegas 36 Results: Julian Erosa Chokes Out Charles Jourdain in Exciting Fight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2021-09-04 .
^ Marcel Dorff (2021-10-08). "BREAKING: Steven Peterson treft Julian Erosa tijdens UFC evenement op 5 februari" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-10-09 .
^ Staff (2022-02-04). "UFC Vegas 47 weigh-in video" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-02-04 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (2022-02-05). "UFC Vegas 47: Julian Erosa Edges Out Steven Peterson In Action-Packed Thriller" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-02-06 .
^ "Julian Erosa def. Steven Peterson :: UFC on ESPN+ 58 :: MMA Decisions" . www.mmadecisions.com . Retrieved 2022-02-16 .
^ a b Wells, Matthew (2022-02-06). "UFC Fight Night 200 bonuses: Julian Erosa pockets $100k for Fight of the Night" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved 2022-02-06 .
^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2022-07-27). "UFC 279 adds Hakeem Dawodu vs. Julian Erosa" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-27 .
^ Staff (2022-09-09). "UFC 279 weigh-in results: Disastrous session leads to fight card overhaul" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-09-09 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2022-09-10). "UFC 279: Julian Erosa Takes Clean Sweep on Scorecards Against Hakeem Dawodu" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-09-11 .
^ Zane Simon (2022-11-02). "Alex Caceres set to face Julian Erosa in final UFC event of 2022" . bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2022-11-02 .
^ Doherty, Dan (2022-12-17). "UFC Vegas 66: Alex Caceres Stops Julian Erosa with Beautiful Head Kick" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2022-12-18 .
^ Nolan King (2023-03-06). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 27-March 5)" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved 2023-03-08 .
^ Law, Eddie (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72: Fernando Padilla Makes Quick Work Of Julian Erosa In UFC Debut" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2023-04-30 .
^ Desk, ITN News (2024-01-08). "Ricardo Ramos vs Julian Erosa Set for UFC Vegas 88 Event" . www.itnwwe.com . Retrieved 2024-01-09 .
^ a b Anderson, Jay (2024-03-24). "UFC Vegas 89: Julian Erosa Weathers Storm, Submits Ricardo Ramos" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-03-24 .
^ Iskenderov, Parviz (29 May 2024). "Christian Rodriguez vs Julian Erosa joins UFC Denver fight card" . FIGHTMAG .
^ Bryson Hester (2023-07-13). "UFC Denver: Julian Erosa Hits Gilly on Christian Rodriguez" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-07-13 .
^ Tammy Ayer (October 18, 2016). "Yakima's Julian 'Juicy J' Erosa heading to London for MMA showdown" . Yakima Herald .
^ Mike Bohn (October 4, 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for September: Slick D'Arce leads to upset" . MMAjunkie.com .
^ Sherdog.com. "Julian" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2021-09-04 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Julian" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2020-07-03 .
External links