So, ever heard of Julian Erosa? Yeah, he’s pretty much the dude who’s been around forever in the UFC. I mean, this guy’s like, the gatekeeper—always turning away these young guns trying to make a name for themselves. His last gig? Snagged a guillotine choke on some hotshot, Christian Rodriguez. But when the UFC lined up a fight in Miami, it wasn’t some newbie stepping into the cage with him. Nope. This time, it was Darren Elkins, the guy with a nickname that makes you scratch your head a bit—”The Damage.”
And here’s why it’s bizarre: usually, you’d think someone called “The Damage” would be all about dishing it out, right? But nah, Darren is known for taking punches like a champ and just keeps going. Julian had a laugh about it, like, “Dude’s nickname means he takes damage but still charges forward.” Kind of nuts when you think about it.
Julian reckons people overlook some things about him. He’s a bit like Elkins but with a twist. Even more toughness maybe? Something he’s eager to showcase in their upcoming bout.
He’s been saying, you know, “I’m sort of cut from the same cloth as Elkins. Tough as nails. But, hey, I’ve got the edge in skill over him.” The guy’s confident he can stay technical and believes if it’s all about technique, he’d win the fight most of the time—like nine out of ten, he says. But we all know how fights go. Wouldn’t be surprised if it turns into a wild brawl.
Here’s the kicker: If things get all chaotic and wild—Julian kind of likes that. Feels like when punches start flying, the game plan vanishes. It’s all about the moment, the adrenaline rush of battle. And hey, maybe it ends up being one of those really memorable fights. A fight of the night kind of thing.
So if you wanna catch these fireworks, tune in this Saturday at UFC 314 prelims. Erosa and Elkins are going to be throwing down, and it’s gonna be a spectacle for sure. The action kicks off at 8 pm EST on ESPN+.
Oh, and the whole chat with Erosa? You can catch it on the Top Turtle MMA Podcast. It’s all there if you’re into hearing more from Julian himself.
