UFC on ESPN 12 video: Julian Erosa taps out Sean Woodson after accepting fight on five days’ notice

Five days ago, Julian Erosa wasn’t even in the UFC.

Now he’s back on the roster with a submission win on his record after Erosa shocked previously undefeated prospect Sean Woodson with a third-round D’arce choke to kick off the UFC on ESPN 12 card from Las Vegas.

“It was amazing,” Erosa said following his win. “So many emotions. It’s been a long road for me. I never thought I was going to be here again. Luckily, it worked out for me this time.”

With an extensive striking background, Woodson was more than ready to trade punches and kicks with Erosa as soon as he was released from the corner. Woodson is well known for his creativity and explosiveness and that was on display in many of the exchanges but Erosa refused to back down.

Woodson was also incredibly active, which saw his output just continues to pepper away at Erosa, who was constantly stalking forward while closing the distance.

By the end of the second round, Erosa was actually connecting with the more effective shots while Woodson’s gas tank appeared to be depleted. But the momentum shifted again when Woodson clubbed Erosa with a perfectly timed punch that dropped the former Ultimate Fighter competitor down to the mat.

Woodson followed him to the ground but Erosa recovered quickly, got back to his feet and went on the attack yet again.

This time around it was Erosa seeking the finish when he saw an opening for a D’arce choke during a brief scramble and he made Woodson pay after locking his arms up and securing the submission. Once the fighters fell to the ground, Erosa tied up Woodson’s leg to prevent him from escaping and a second later the tap came to end the fight.

Following an 0-3 run in his last stint in the UFC, Erosa certainly made the most of his short notice opportunity while getting his first win inside the octagon since his debut back in 2015.