With Kyle Nelson out, Julian Erosa vs. Sean Woodson targeted for UFC on ESPN 12

The UFC is eying Julian Erosa for a third stint.

Less than a year after his second UFC departure, Erosa (23-8 MMA, 1-4 UFC) will return Saturday at UFC on ESPN 12. Replacing Kyle Nelson, Erosa will take on UFC sophomore Sean Woodson.

Sources with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking Tuesday after a UFC PR spokeswoman informed The Canadian Press of the lineup change. The sources asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

The CP also reported a visa issue was to blame for Nelson’s departure from the card.

UFC on ESPN 12 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

In mid-2019, Erosa was cut from the UFC for the second time after three straight losses. Returning to the regional scene, Erosa defeated A.J. Bryant at CageSport 60 in February.

Woodson (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), the tallest featherweight in the UFC, made his debut at UFC on ESPN 8 in October. Taking on home-crowd favorite Kyle Bochniak, Woodson dominated for three straight rounds en route to a unanimous decision win.

With the change, the UFC on ESPN 12 lineup now includes:

• Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker
• Mickey Gall vs. Mike Perry
• Brendan Allen vs. Kyle Daukaus
• Maurice Greene vs. Gian Villante
• Luis Pena vs. Khama Worthy
• Tanner Boser vs. Philipe Lins
• Viviane Araujo vs. Jennifer Maia
• Julian Erosa vs. Sean Woodson
• Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Takashi Sato
• Jinh Yu Frey vs. Kay Hansen