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UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg of Australia expects Brazilian fans to throw bottles at him after he knocked out local champion Alexandre Pantoja.
The clash between these fighters will headline UFC 301, which takes place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"I expect to be thrown bottles after I finish it. This is part of the real experience of performing in Brazil. My goal is to prove to everyone that I'm the best in this division, whether I'm the underdog or the favorite, it doesn't really matter to me," MMA Fighiting quotes Erceg as saying.
Muhammad Mokaev, a British fighter in the UFC's lightest division, has revealed who he will be rooting for in the title fight between featherweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Steve Erceg.
"I really want Erceg to win this fight. I think he has a better jab than Pantoja. Alesandre is just a dog with jiu-jitsu technique. I don't see him as anything special," Mokaev wrote on social media.
The confrontation between Pantoja and Erceg will take place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro and will headline the UFC 301 numbered event. In the co-main event of that event, former featherweight champion Jose Aldo will fight Jonathan Martinez.
UFC featherweight champion Alesandre Pantoja revealed that six years ago he trained with current titleholder Sean O'Malley.
UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg explained how he got the offer to fight division champion Alexandre Pantoja.
"When I placed an order at KFC, I got a call offering me a fight with Pantoja. At this point I was in a difficult position: I had no idea what to do - finish my order or put it aside to start calling my father and coach. In the end, I decided to finish my order from KFC first," said the Australian in an interview with the UFC YouTube channel.
Recall that the fight between Pantoja and Ercega will be the main event of the UFC 301 tournament, which will take place next weekend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
UFC 301 will take place on the night of May 5 in Rio de Janeiro, headlined by a bout between flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Steve Erceg. In the co-main event, Jose Aldo will face Jonathan Martinez. Here is the full card of the tournament:
Main Card:
Alexandre Pantoja - Steve Erceg;
Jose Aldo - Jonathan Martinez;
Anthony Smith - Vitor Petrino;
Paul Craig - Caio Borrallo.
Preliminary Card:
Joanderson Brito - Jack Shore;
Karolina Kowalkiewicz - Yasmin Lucindo;
Elvis Brenne - Myktybek Orolbay;
Gene Silva - William Gomis;
Joaquim Silva - Drakkar Klose;
Jamie Mullarkey - Mauricio Ruffy;
Dion Barbosa - Ernesta Caricaite;
Ismael Bonfim - Vince Pichel;
Alessandro Costa - Kevin Borjas.
Steve Erceg's record currently stands at 12 wins, 1 lose and 0 draw.
Steve Erceg's last fight took place against Matt Schnell on March 2, 2024, in Enterprise, USA. He won by KO in the 2 round. That fight was 2 months and 0 day ago.
Erceg's last 2 fights have come over a period of day, meaning he has been fighting on average every month and day. In those fights, he fought a total of round, meaning that they have lasted round on average.
The Steve Erceg is currently 28 years old. He was born on July 27, 1995, so he will turn 29 in 2 months and 25 days.
Steve Erceg made his professional debut in June 2023, so he has been a pro for 0 year.
Erceg is 5' 7" (5 Foot and 7 inch) which is 172 cm (1 meter and 72 centimeters).
His reach is 68 inches (68") which is 173 cm (1 meter and 73 centimeters).
Erceg fights from a orthodox, which means he favours his right hand as his power hand when fighting.
