Steve Erceg
Astroboy
Australia
Escapes early trouble in win
Erceg defeated Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Erceg is very fortunate here that he didn't come away with his fourth straight defeat. Osbourne was quicker and far more physical in Round 1, dominating the striking exchanges and finding multiple big shots that had Erceg on the ropes. He managed to weather the early storm, however, and out-pointed his opponent over a final 10 minutes that saw very little action. Erceg is incredibly technical, and that was the difference here, but his stock doesn't improve much after this shaky effort, especially considering he entered as roughly a (-400) betting favorite.
Erceg is very fortunate here that he didn't come away with his fourth straight defeat. Osbourne was quicker and far more physical in Round 1, dominating the striking exchanges and finding multiple big shots that had Erceg on the ropes. He managed to weather the early storm, however, and out-pointed his opponent over a final 10 minutes that saw very little action. Erceg is incredibly technical, and that was the difference here, but his stock doesn't improve much after this shaky effort, especially considering he entered as roughly a (-400) betting favorite.
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Now facing Osbourne
Erceg will take on Ode Osbourne in a flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 109 on August 9, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Erceg was initially slated to face Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 109, but Park has been moved to another fight, replacing Amir Albazi to face Tatsuro Taira. Now, Erceg will take on a fighter in Osborne who will be looking to stack victories and even his UFC record to an even 6-6 following a win over Luis Gurule back in April.
Erceg was initially slated to face Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 109, but Park has been moved to another fight, replacing Amir Albazi to face Tatsuro Taira. Now, Erceg will take on a fighter in Osborne who will be looking to stack victories and even his UFC record to an even 6-6 following a win over Luis Gurule back in April.
Will require new opponent
Erceg is not expected to fight Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, UFC.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Park will replace Amir Albazi to headline UFC Vegas 108 against Tatsuro Taira on Saturday. That leaves just a week between the event and when Park would have to fight Erceg, so it likely means the latter will need a new opponent in order to compete in early-August.
Park will replace Amir Albazi to headline UFC Vegas 108 against Tatsuro Taira on Saturday. That leaves just a week between the event and when Park would have to fight Erceg, so it likely means the latter will need a new opponent in order to compete in early-August.
New opponent released
Erceg will now fight Hyun Sung Park at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The Australian flyweight was first scheduled to take on Alex Perez in Vegas, but Park will now hop into the octagon now after Perez dropped out with an undisclosed injury. Erceg is heading into the August bout off a three-fight losing streak, and he'll take on a tough opponent with a 3-0 UFC record and 10-0 professional fighting record.
The Australian flyweight was first scheduled to take on Alex Perez in Vegas, but Park will now hop into the octagon now after Perez dropped out with an undisclosed injury. Erceg is heading into the August bout off a three-fight losing streak, and he'll take on a tough opponent with a 3-0 UFC record and 10-0 professional fighting record.
No longer facing Perez
Erceg will no longer fight Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The Australian flyweight will now look for a new competitor after Perez has dropped out of the bout with an undisclosed injury. Erceg is heading to Vegas with a three-fight losing streak in his wake, so he'll be aiming for redemption against whoever steps in for Perez.
The Australian flyweight will now look for a new competitor after Perez has dropped out of the bout with an undisclosed injury. Erceg is heading to Vegas with a three-fight losing streak in his wake, so he'll be aiming for redemption against whoever steps in for Perez.
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.