Steve Erceg
Astroboy
Australia
Facing Perez in August
Erceg will take on Alex Perez in a flyweight fight at the UFC's Aug. 9 event in Las Vegas, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Erceg will head into the bout looking to snap a three-fight losing streak dating back to last May. The 5-foot-8 Australian will look to use advantages in height and reach over the older American. With a perfect 6-0 professional record in submission finishes compared to a less-than-stellar 7-5 record for Perez, Erceg will likely be looking to use the ground game to his advantage in August.
Erceg will head into the bout looking to snap a three-fight losing streak dating back to last May. The 5-foot-8 Australian will look to use advantages in height and reach over the older American. With a perfect 6-0 professional record in submission finishes compared to a less-than-stellar 7-5 record for Perez, Erceg will likely be looking to use the ground game to his advantage in August.
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Losing streak hits three
Erceg lost to Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (46-49, 46-49, 46-49) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Mexico City.
ANALYSIS
Erceg is in a near-impossible spot, and this result is going to make matters worse. He was again competitive against a top-tier opponent, but again came up short. Erceg is one of the most technically sound pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He's responsible both offensively and defensively. And while that's great, it's also a curse. He lands also no noticeable offense in the eyes of the judges, and it's all but impossible for him to come from behind on the scorecards when he falls behind early. Through 20 mins, Erceg had a 97-71 edge in significant strikes landed here, but Moreno was up 3-1 on all three scorecards because he landed the more impactful blows. The 29-year-old Aussie was rushed into a title shot in just his fourth UFC bout last May, and he's now riding a three-fight losing streak. There's no easy answers here.
Erceg is in a near-impossible spot, and this result is going to make matters worse. He was again competitive against a top-tier opponent, but again came up short. Erceg is one of the most technically sound pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He's responsible both offensively and defensively. And while that's great, it's also a curse. He lands also no noticeable offense in the eyes of the judges, and it's all but impossible for him to come from behind on the scorecards when he falls behind early. Through 20 mins, Erceg had a 97-71 edge in significant strikes landed here, but Moreno was up 3-1 on all three scorecards because he landed the more impactful blows. The 29-year-old Aussie was rushed into a title shot in just his fourth UFC bout last May, and he's now riding a three-fight losing streak. There's no easy answers here.
Looks to start new streak in Mexico
Erceg will take on Brandon Moreno in a flyweight matchup at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Erceg started his UFC run with a three-fight winning streak that included two post-fight bonuses, which catapulted him to a title shot. He lost that opportunity to Alexandre Pantoja (who defeated Moreno as well), and followed that up with a first-round defeat to Kai Kara-France (who Moreno has beaten). Now, with his status anywhere near the title picture on the line, Ereceg will face a former champion in Moreno, who recently snapped a two-fight losing streak with an impressive win over Amir Albazi. Both men measure up similarly in height, reach and striking volume.
Erceg started his UFC run with a three-fight winning streak that included two post-fight bonuses, which catapulted him to a title shot. He lost that opportunity to Alexandre Pantoja (who defeated Moreno as well), and followed that up with a first-round defeat to Kai Kara-France (who Moreno has beaten). Now, with his status anywhere near the title picture on the line, Ereceg will face a former champion in Moreno, who recently snapped a two-fight losing streak with an impressive win over Amir Albazi. Both men measure up similarly in height, reach and striking volume.
Will no longer face Almabayev
Erceg (undisclosed) won't fight Asu Almabayev on March 1st at UFC Vegas 103 anymore, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a tough blow for Erceg, as he's lost two straight fights and desperately needed this chance to get back into the win column. It's unclear why the fighter was forced to pull out of the bout at this juncture.
This is a tough blow for Erceg, as he's lost two straight fights and desperately needed this chance to get back into the win column. It's unclear why the fighter was forced to pull out of the bout at this juncture.
Looks to bounce back in March
Erceg will take on Asu Almabayev in a flyweight matchup at UFC Vegas 103 on March 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Erceg started his UFC run with a 3-0 record, but following a title-shot defeat and another loss to Kai Kara-France in August, it's back to the drawing board. He now takes on a fighter in Almabayev who is a perfect 4-0 under the UFC banner. This may be a tough matchup for Erceg, as Almabayev tends to grind thiings out with his wrestling, averaging more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time. Erceg, meanwhile, defends takedowns at a very average clip of 60 percent.
Erceg started his UFC run with a 3-0 record, but following a title-shot defeat and another loss to Kai Kara-France in August, it's back to the drawing board. He now takes on a fighter in Almabayev who is a perfect 4-0 under the UFC banner. This may be a tough matchup for Erceg, as Almabayev tends to grind thiings out with his wrestling, averaging more than five takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time. Erceg, meanwhile, defends takedowns at a very average clip of 60 percent.
Second loss in three-plus months
Erceg lost to Kai Kara-France via KO (punches) at 4:04 of Round 1 at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
A little over three months ago, Erceg nearly took the UFC Flyweight Championship from Alexandre Pantoja. Now, he's lost back-to-back fights and finds himself miles from the top, even in a thin division. Erceg started slowly before finding his range a few minutes in. He appeared to be finding his range and pulling ahead, at which point Kara-France unleashed a sweeping left hook that floored Steve. Erceg managed to work his way back to his feet, only to get dropped again and mercifully saved by referee Rich Mitchell. Erceg has multiple world-class traits, but he also has just 14 pro fights under his belt at age 29. He needs to find his game in short order.
A little over three months ago, Erceg nearly took the UFC Flyweight Championship from Alexandre Pantoja. Now, he's lost back-to-back fights and finds himself miles from the top, even in a thin division. Erceg started slowly before finding his range a few minutes in. He appeared to be finding his range and pulling ahead, at which point Kara-France unleashed a sweeping left hook that floored Steve. Erceg managed to work his way back to his feet, only to get dropped again and mercifully saved by referee Rich Mitchell. Erceg has multiple world-class traits, but he also has just 14 pro fights under his belt at age 29. He needs to find his game in short order.