UFC Vegas 66 has some elite matchups on the card. While middleweight fighters Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland will headline the card, lightweight prospects Arman Tsarukyan and Damir Ismagulov will light up the card in the co-main event. However, it will also have an amazing featherweight bout between Alex Caceres and Julian Erosa on the main card.
Prior to his last defeat against Sodiq Yusuff in March 2022, Alex Caceres had 5 wins on the trot. As a matter of fact, he has 6 wins in his last 8 bouts. Although he lost to Yusuff, it was not a one-sided fight. But, his next opponent Julian Erosa is coming off 3 great wins. So the bout is going to be very well balanced and promises to be a spectacular one.
Alex Caceres will fight Julian Erosa at #UFCVegas66 on December 17th. (per @TeamIridiumISA) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN pic.twitter.com/3m6tVwTKvV
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) November 2, 2022
Although they are both around the same age, Caceres has been a part of the UFC for much longer. Erosa knocked out Jamall Emmers at Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2018 to earn a UFC deal. But, Alex has been fighting inside the Octagon since 2011. He has fought across bantamweight and featherweight, while having a lengthy career.
UFC Vegas 66 Prediction: Alex Caceres vs Julian Erosa, Stats
Stats | Alex Caceres | Julian Erosa |
---|---|---|
Wins | 19 | 28 |
Losses | 13 | 10 |
Height | 1.78 m | 1.85 m |
Division | Featherweight | Featherweight |
Reach | 186.7 cm | 189.2 cm |
Age | 34 | 33 |
Can Erosa keep his momentum going against Caceres at UFC Vegas 66?
Julian Erosa has a better finishing rate than Alex Caceres. Alex has 3 KOs, 7 submissions and 9 decision wins. Erosa, on the other hand, has 11 KOs, 12 submissions, and only 5 decision wins. The 33-year-old is also a former title holder at Cage Sport. He had a previous stint in the UFC, where he got cut after losing to Teruto Ishihara at UFC 196.
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He also fought Paddy Pimblett in 2016 for the Cage Warriors featherweight belt. But, Julian Erosa lost the bout via unanimous decision. Inside the Octagon, he lands 6.26 strikes and absorbs 6.30 strikes per minute respectively. However, he also secures 1.73 takedowns per fight with an accuracy rate of 48%. So he is very well-rounded.
Compared to him, Alex Caceres is not as adventurous in the cage. Caceres averages 4.18 strikes per minute and he only absorbs 2.92 strikes. He maintains a striking defense of 64%. Although he only has a takedown average of 0.58 per fight, Caceres does make it hard for his opponents to stand back up, once the bout is on the ground.
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The 34-year-old will definitely have an advantage heading into this particular bout because of the style of the matchup. Julian Erosa’s reckless striking style may provide Alex Caceres the perfect opportunity to land a big counterstrike or secure a dominant ground position. With only 1 loss, Caceres has a solid chin as well. So Caceres should be the smart pick to win this Saturday.