Twice-cut Julian Erosa offers advice to fighters released by UFC — ‘Keep pushing’

Some hard-earned advice from “Juicy J.”

Always-exciting Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Julian Erosa starched Jeong Yeong Lee in just 91 seconds during the final fight of his career at UFC Halloween this past weekend (Sat., Oct. 31, 2026) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights).

It was a storybook ending to a turbulent UFC career filled with memorable victories, devastating losses, and two releases from the promotion.

Erosa originally joined UFC in 2015 following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter Season 22, where he was eliminated in the semifinal round. He went 1-1 during his first Octagon run before receiving his walking papers.

“Juicy J” responded by going 6-2 on the regional scene, including a highly controversial decision loss to Paddy Pimblett. He later earned an opportunity on Contender Series and viciously knocked out Jamall Emmers, but UFC declined to offer him a contract.

A short-notice opportunity eventually brought Erosa back to the promotion, but his second run ended with three consecutive losses, including two knockouts, and another release.

After securing one regional victory, Erosa received a third chance during the COVID era and submitted Sean Woodson on short notice (watch highlights). This time, he made the opportunity count.

That winding journey makes Erosa uniquely qualified to offer advice to fighters who suddenly find themselves outside UFC.

“You just have to look back into yourself and remember why you like to fight,” Erosa told MMAmania.com. “For me, being cut twice, I told myself, ‘I’m going to be the baddest dude on the regional scene. I’m going to go smack these fools around.’

“I didn’t make a lot of money doing it, but it was fine because I loved fighting,” Erosa continued. “If you actually love fighting, push through it. If it has taken a toll on you physically, emotionally or mentally, maybe reevaluate it.”

Erosa also warned younger fighters against allowing desperation to dictate their decisions. Looking back, the 36-year-old believes impatience occasionally led him to accept opportunities that were not in his best interest.

“If your dream is to get to UFC and you get cut, just keep pressing for it,” Erosa said. “Be patient. I tell that to a lot of the younger fighters: Be patient. You have a lot of time. You don’t need to take fights just because you’re itching to fight.

“I did that a lot,” Erosa continued. “I took fights because I was itching to fight, and it cost me. I wish I had been a little smarter, but I come from a whole different generation of fighter. Be patient, keep your nose to the grindstone and keep pushing.”

Being released after spending years trying to reach UFC can feel like the end of a fighter’s dream. Erosa’s career is proof that it does not have to be.

Erosa finished his third and final UFC stint with a 9-5 record and established himself as one of the Featherweight division’s most consistently entertaining fighters. Win or lose, a “Juicy J” fight was never boring.

Now, after UFC gave up on him twice, Erosa gets to leave on his own terms—with a violent knockout victory and more time to spend raising his young son.

Not a bad way to ride off into the sunset.

For complete UFC Halloween results, coverage and highlights click HERE.