Steve Erceg (12-2) wasn’t even supposed to make it this far. The 10th-ranked flyweight entered tonight’s card with his fourth fight in the UFC. Normally, a fighter that doesn’t have many fights within the promotion can’t thrive, right? What if that was the main event to boot?
Well, the Australian fighter held his own throughout the UFC Flyweight Championship match, delivering heavy blows to Alexandre Pantoja (28-5). Although he didn’t get the belt (Pantoja won via unanimous decision), Erceg shouldn’t hang his head in shame.
After all, nobody thought Erceg would make it this far. He was called up for a title shot while eating KFC. But at UFC 301, “Astroboy” put on a show, going the distance with the UFC Flyweight Champion. Now that’s finger lickin’ good.
How Good Was Steve Erceg?
For starters, Erceg showed incredible endurance throughout the fight. He ate a tough blow from Pantoja in the first round that cut the challenger open. How do you respond in that situation? Why, you land a filthy elbow in the third round, cutting open the champ.
Erceg also put on a masterclass in defense, defending any incoming takedowns from Alexandre Pantoja with ease. Body parts would get in the way of the champion, leaving Pantoja to work him on the ground. The Australian challenger never gave the hometown hero any looks, putting up an assault of his own.
The match was also tied 19-19 heading into the third round. The fight came relatively easy for Erceg, as he came with a full offensive front. But there are some things for the underdog to work on.
What Erceg Must Work On
One thing that stands out with Steve Erceg is his inability to finish. After the third round, the Australian didn’t deliver many blows to the head. Additionally, he caved to being grappled, ending up stuck in neutral throughout the later rounds.
Erceg could’ve also landed more body blows in his match. “Astroboy” only delivered 16 body blows, going for the kill throughout the fight. Watching Jose Aldo fight Jonathan Martinez, Aldo mixed up his offense with headshots (41) and body blows (26). As a result, the Brazilian fighter won the fight.
This match serves as a moral victory for the upcoming Erceg. There’s no reason for him to hang his head in shame. He laid it all out in the ring, putting the defending champion, Alexandre Pantoja, on his toes. After stealing the show at UFC 301, this fight is something “Astroboy” can build off of.
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