Steve Erceg may have been seen as an unlikely title challenger in just his fourth appearance in the Octagon, but he proved he was worthy of the stage this May.
The 29-year-old Australian gave it his all against Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 301, ultimately losing by unanimous decision to the reigning flyweight champion in Rio de Janeiro.
“I showed people that, despite the obvious pressure, I’m not going to flinch,” Erceg recently told the New York Post. “It seemed like it was too early or some other nonsense, but it probably wasn’t. I’m going to be a contender and eventually one day I’m going to be a champion.”
UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Saturday at 10 PM ET on ESPN+. Order now! Erceg returns to action for the first time since then when he takes on Kai Kara-France in the co-main event of UFC 305 on Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth. A win over another top contender could put “Astro Boy” back in the running for the title, but he is realistic about his position in the flyweight division.
“The division is so full of tough competitors right now, there’s a good chance someone will come along and take the championship before I get there,” Erceg said. “Maybe. [if] I beat Kai, but I still have one or two more fights to get another chance at a title fight.”
But there’s more to Erceg than just a UFC title shot — and he’ll need to fight any challenger to get where he wants to go.
“Not only do I want to be champion, I want to be the toughest man in the division,” Erceg said. “Becoming champion is my main goal, but it’s pointless if I dodge everyone. Some people look at the flyweight division and think, ‘Steve is definitely the best fighter in the division,’ and no one says, ‘But Amir Albazi isn’t.’ I’ve beaten everyone. I’m the toughest man, and I want to prove it by fighting everyone.”
