Julian Erosa figured Darren Elkins would be tough to take out at UFC 314

MIAMI – Julian Erosa beat Darren Elkins with a first-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 314 at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Take a look inside the fight with Erosa, who got his third straight first-round finish.

Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins

Result: Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:15
Updated records: Erosa (30-11 MMA, 9-7 UFC) def. Darren Elkins (29-12 MMA, 19-11 UFC)
Key stats: Erosa outstruck Elkins 69-18.

Erosa on the fight’s key moment

“There were multiple times I had him hurt, and I just felt like I needed to be patient. That was the name of the game for this fight, because Darren Elkins is a tough guy who can give you a fight for 15 minutes even if he’s close to being done. … There were some shots I landed on him that maybe would’ve taken other people out.”

Erosa on his upkick that rocked Elkins

“I’m one of the guys in the gym who uses (upkicks) to his advantage. I’m nothing but extremities – arms and legs. Off my back, that decision is a dangerous weapon.”

Erosa on what he wants next

“(Jean Silva) would be nice. Three first-round finishes for myself – to get a top-15 fight would be nice.”

To hear more from Erosa, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.