Undefeated CageSport Champ Julian Erosa Intends to Stay That Way, Targets UFC Dream

Undefeated in his first nine fights, current CageSport 145-pound champion Julian Erosa has quickly established himself as one of the top prospects in the Northwest fight scene.

Most recently, CageSport has managed to expand its audience due to a television deal with Root Sports. It’s a deal that Erosa in particular is happy to be fighting under.

“It’s nice to finally get out there like that and have it so my family and friends can actually see me fight rather than just hear about it,” he said. “It’s also good for promoters and sponsors looking for younger talent to be able to watch it on TV.

“It’s definitely a lot nicer to have this type of exposure and I’m really looking forward to going out there and showcasing my skills again for everybody.”

Erosa’s next opportunity to shine comes Saturday night as he defends his CageSport title against Drew Brokenshire just east of Tacoma, Wash.

“I’m pretty much a stand-up fighter and it’s pretty much what I’m 100-percent more comfortable with all around, but I can go anywhere,” said Erosa. “I can go on the ground and stuff too, but I feel I have an advantage on the feet. So that’s kind of my game plan: keep it standing, pick my shots and stagger him a little bit, and maybe finish it with a TKO or something.

“I feel all-around Drew’s a pretty decent guy, but my skills are a little bit better.”

While putting his title and unblemished record on the line could be a lot of pressure on Erosa, he told MMAWeekly.com that he thrives on those conditions and it makes him want to win even more.

“It does bring a little bit more pressure, but with that pressure it does bring a drive for me to want to really perform,” he said. “I don’t want to go out there and disappoint people who have a lot riding on me.

“I just really want to keep my record unblemished and keep pushing forward through these guys. They’re going to keep getting tougher, and some people are saying this is my toughest fight yet, but I feel like I’m going to be the bigger fighter and am going to be able to perform under pressure like this.”

The more Erosa can continue to deliver with the spotlight on him, the better his chances are of graduating to the next stage of his career, which he hopes to accomplish in 2013.

“I don’t try to look past anybody, but I really want to push to get myself into the UFC,” said Erosa. “145 is one of the deepest divisions out there, so you really have to earn your spot.

“Whether they call me to replace an injured fighter or I try out for TUF, however I can get in there and scratch my way to the top, that’s what I’ll do.”

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