Steve Arseg knows what he has to do to become UFC champion.
No one could have predicted that Erceg would suddenly rise to the top just nine months after making his promotional debut. That's exactly what happened as the No. 10 ranked contender takes on UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in what is likely to be the headliner of UFC 301 on May 4th.
It's a quick but welcome turnaround for the Western Australian, who was fresh off a knockout of Matt Schnell at UFC Vegas 87 two weeks ago. Erceg's title win came as a surprise to many, but the division is rather shallow as the incumbent Pantoja has wiped out the remaining candidates. Right, leave the door open for Erceg to swoop down.
Steve Artheg puts Matt Schnell to bed #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/pKdi8VuOIh
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 2, 2024
Pantoja has been really good throughout his title fight and hasn't lost in almost four years. That said, Erceg believes he is more than capable of pulling off the ultimate upset in front of his home crowd in Brazil's Pantoja.
“I think he's got a pretty difficult personality and a lot of holes,” Erceg told Fox Sports Australia's Niko Pajarillo. “So I think we can shake him up with some shots and get him out of the way.”
'The Cannibal' has taken as many hits as anyone over his 32-fight career, but no one has been able to stop him in his tracks. But there's always a first time for everything, and with a bonus win and knockout win in his last fight, Erceg is sure to bring some excitement to the flyweight title fight.
“I think his hitting is too aggressive,” Erceg said of Pantoja. “Obviously he's very fit, he's got a great heart, he's got good jiu-jitsu, but he's just very reckless and I think that's going to get him into trouble at the highest level.”
Steve Arseg has a nearly perfect record of 12 wins and 1 loss, with his last loss coming in 2017. Since then, his numbers have gone from strength to strength, and with the UFC flyweight belt around his waist, “Astro Boy'' looks set to soar further than ever.
BREAKING: Steven “Astroboy” Erceg will fight for the flyweight title at UFC 301 in Brazil.
Erceg said of the champion:[Alexandre] Pantoja has a bad personality and a lot of holes. ”
“I think we can keep him away.”
#breaking news #mixed martial arts #UFC pic.twitter.com/BC03vzZzH5— Nico Pajarillo (@NikoPajarillo) March 15, 2024
