Steve Arseg is the surprise winner of the Alexandre Pantoja sweepstakes.
The UFC said Friday that Erceg, not Muhamad Mokaev or Brandon Roybal or any other flyweight suspect, will challenge for Pantoja's UFC belt on May 4, when the promotion returns to Rio de Janeiro for UFC 301. Announced. Erceg's Octagon career is just three fights in, coming off a win over Matt Schnell in March, which prompted a lot of reaction from the mild-mannered 27-year-old fellow fighters.
Check out the reactions to the announcement below, including the incredulous reaction from Mokaev, who had been vocal about his appointment.
Did the UFC just end?
Achieved the second active winning streak in MMA flyweight history!InshaAllah, I will get this belt right away!
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Never chose an opponent and never retreated from a fight, even if he was not healthy
Never Missed WeightI will be the champion!you gave me a lot of inspiration @mickmaynard2 thank you
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
I have more finishes in the UFC than any of my Elsegus fight buddies.
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Give Roybal to Manchester, I'll beat him up, you want to see the finish?
Give me this fight!I'll finish him off— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Pantoja literally swept the division even before he was champion!!!! That gave Erceg the golden ticket!!!! By the finish they said Pantoja #ufc301
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) March 15, 2024
Another Australian comes for the strap!!
Astro Boy has made a big step up in his fourth match in the promotion, but is there a way to contain Pantoja? https://t.co/WJtsWNjBTx
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) March 15, 2024
Erceg's last game looked good. Gain weight in case something happens. If not, I'm sitting in the front row watching the next fight with my teammates. https://t.co/LA5wcltRHA
— Brandon (@brandonroyval) March 15, 2024
