The win over Ewell was an important one for Arce’s confidence and is giving him confidence heading into his UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs Rodriguez bout with Song Yadong.
“It was an amazing feeling because most people would say that when you’re away from fighting for a while you’ll get ring rust, this and that, but I’m like ‘nope.’ I didn’t feel it,” Arce said. “I felt that everything was the way that it was supposed to be and I got the finish and it was a huge win. It meant a lot.”
In Julio Arce’s Corner: The Cornerman | The Mentor | The Doctors
A win over Song would be even bigger for Arce, who believes a statement-level win can help him make up for the time he lost while out due to injury.
“I’m viewing this fight as my way to climb the ladder and reach the top. Andre Ewell was more my comeback fight to bantamweight and remind people that I’m here,” Arce said. “With somebody like Song, he’s my next big step, the next obstacle in my way, and I have to overcome that obstacle. I have to get past him to really climb the ranks.”
Song has been a name floating around the bantamweight rankings since his impressive knockout of Alejandro Perez. He’s been viewed as a top prospect and someone that could make real noise at bantamweight, while Arce admittedly doesn’t quite have the same notoriety as his foe.
