UFC Fight Night tips: Julian Erosa to halt the Fernando Padilla hype train
- Liam Hampton
- 29 April 2023
Featherweight fighters face off in this bout, as Julian “Juicy J” Erosa looks to spoil the debut of Fernando Padilla. Check out our preview, key stats and suggested bet for the fight.
Julian Erosa and Fernando Padilla have very different reasons for victory when they face off on the main card of UFC Fight Night.
For Erosa, this bout marks another first step up the mountain. After losing his last bout to Alex Caceres, Erosa must once again rebuild to make a run at a title, something he has already done plenty of times in his three spells in the UFC.
He is on much more solid ground this time though. Prior to the Caceres loss he was 5-1 in his third spell with the UFC, showing that there definitely is a place for him on the UFC roster.
But like any other fighter who gets their winning streak snapped, Erosa must rebuild, and his beautiful striking from range and slick submission skills are as good a base as any to rebuild with.
For Padilla, this bout is his big chance to impress. A member of the UFC roster since 2021, this will be Padilla's UFC debut and he will want to remind everybody why he was signed almost two years ago.
A successful regional career fraught with finishes caught the eye of the UFC brass, who signed him to a bout with Sean Soriano, VISA issues kept him away then, but now Padilla is here and ready to make a statement in the featherweight division.
Ring rust will play a factor in this bout, Padilla has not competed in almost two years and the UFC jitters can often affect a fighter making their debut.
By contrast Erosa has competed six times in the last two years, and his comfortability in the octagon should give him the guidance to defeat Padilla.
Key stats
Both of Erosa's UFC submission wins came by D'Arce choke.
Padilla will have a 1.5" reach advantage over Erosa.
Suggested bet
Julian Erosa to win the fight.
