Julian Erosa made a big return to the UFC with a sneaky, late submission against Sean Woodson on the UFC on ESPN 12 main card.
Opening up the main card at UFC on ESPN 12 was a pair of featherweights, competing at a catchweight of 150lbs. Julian Erosa entered the fight off a win on the regional scene and was getting a second look in the UFC. After winning his way in on the Contender Series in 2018, he’d lost three straight. Welcoming him back to the Octagon was Sean Woodson, an undefeated prospect who entered the promotion from the 2019 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Woodson had won his promotional debut last year at UFC on ESPN 6. The opening round began with a big jab connecting for Woodson. Another jab found a home for Woodson and Erosa responded with a leg kick. Woodson unloaded a very nice hook and straight combo that landed flush, followed up by a head kick that was barely blocked. Woodson continued to show some very good striking, using his length well and being extremely unpredictable. Woodson planted a very good straight left hand down the pipe that landed clean on Erosa’s face.
Woodson continued to tee off on Erosa despite the latter’s attempt to move his head often. Erosa pressed Woodson up against the cage for a takedown attempt that was easily stuffed. Erosa exploded with some strikes up against the cage, but Woodson bounced back from them nicely, connecting with a pair of left hands. Erosa again pressed Woodson against the cage, but it was short-lived. More precise jabs and straight rights connected for Woodson just before the round came to an end.
The second round kicked off with striking attempts from both men that mostly hit air. Erosa sped forward to hold Woodson against the cage but Woodson was able to push off and circle out, countering with a right hand. Erosa landed a nice combination of hooks, as Woodson attempts to play the dodging game with his back against the fence, but still ate quite a bit of shots. Woodson began to pick up the pace a tad, landing often, but then resumed to backing up against the cage and circling.
Erosa pressed forward with some stiff shots, one being a hard one to the gut. The relentless pressure from Erosa continued, and the tide of the round slowly began to change. Woodson attempted to fire back, landing a nice jab, but Erosa continued to walk forward to end the round.
The third and final round started with a big uppercut from Woodson, but Erosa fired back with a pair of leg kicks. Erosa attempted to clinch up, pressing forward, but was dropped by a beautiful counterstrike from Woodson. Erosa ate some shots on the ground but Woodson decided to stand up, to which Erosa went right back on the attack with pressure. Big shots exchanged by both men before Erosa pressed Woodson up against the cage again for a failed takedown attempt.
Absolute relentlessness from both men. Erosa finally got the takedown, but Woodson exploded back to his feet, only to be dragged to the ground again. As Woodson got to his feet again, Erosa was able to lock in a standing D’arce. Erosa dropped back down to the ground, and with nowhere else to go, Woodson was forced to tap out.
Official Result: Julian Erosa def. Sean Woodson via R3 submission (D’arce choke, 2:44)
The short-notice underdog! 😱
Talk about a way to introduce yourself to the Octagon, @JuicyJ_Erosa!
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— UFC (@ufc) June 28, 2020
