Julian Erosa believes his mixed martial arts career reached an ideal conclusion at UFC Vegas 123.
Scheduled to compete in his final bout on Saturday, Erosa faced Jeong Yeong Lee. The widely popular fighter capped off his journey in the sport by securing an early TKO victory in the opening frame, a result that left him overjoyed.
“Had someone guaranteed me a victory, even if it turned out to be dull, I likely would have accepted it,” Erosa shared during an appearance on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Everyone aims to step away after a win. However, sealing my final performance with a finish like that is immensely more rewarding. It truly couldn’t have unfolded more perfectly. I enjoy battling through tough moments, so the outcome felt like a perfect script.”
Despite emerging victorious, Erosa found himself in immediate trouble right after the opening bell. Immediately following the glove touch, Lee unleashed a sudden left hook that caught Erosa off guard. While Erosa feels the strike bordered on unsportsmanlike conduct, he holds himself accountable for failing to keep his guard up.
‘Need to stay guarded’
“It caught me completely unaware; we tapped gloves and then immediately engaged,” Erosa stated. “The realization didn’t hit me until post-fight, when my cornermen pointed out that it was somewhat of a low blow. It definitely felt borderline unsportsmanlike. Looking back at the footage, it reinforces that you must maintain your defense continuously. He appeared anxious, but I simply didn’t anticipate him launching an immediate attack.
“Defending myself at every moment is my responsibility, so the mistake was mine. … The left hook caught me while I was already shifting in that direction; although it didn’t put me completely out, it certainly rocked my balance. I felt it, though it wasn’t devastating. … Across 45 professional bouts and a decade of amateur fights, I believe I’ve only floored someone with a right cross a couple of times. Once it landed, I recognized it was the end.”
In the end, Julian Erosa secured the early finish, rendering the early scare insignificant. He remains immensely proud of his overall combat sports journey and feels completely confident that his decision to hang up the gloves is final.
“At the moment, I am riding the thrill of victory, but as time passes, I will feel deeply satisfied with how my career concluded. … I’ve experienced it all; competing on the Contender Series, taking part in The Ultimate Fighter, and drifting in and out of the UFC roster over a decade. It has been a lengthy path; while I might still be capable of winning further bouts, I have already demonstrated what I can do. Finishing my career on terms like these holds far greater value than collecting another fight purse,” Erosa explained.
Moving forward, Erosa intends to return to his home state of Washington to assist with his family’s business operations. With his daily fight training behind him, he also looks forward to spending his leisure time pursuing outdoor activities such as snowboarding and long-distance running.
This piece originally featured on BJPENN.COM
