While he might have been viewed as an unlikely title challenger in
just his fourth Octagon appearance, Steve Erceg
proved that he belonged on that stage this past May.
Advertisement
The 29-year-old Australian gave Alexandre
Pantoja all he could handle in the UFC 301
headliner, ultimately dropping a competitive unanimous decision to
the reigning flyweight champion in Rio de Janeiro.
“Showed people that, despite the apparent pressure, I’m not going
to wilt,” Erceg recently told the New York Post. “Although it looked too soon and
all that nonsense, it probably wasn’t. I’m going to be a contender
and then, eventually, champion one day.”
ESPN+. Order Now!
Erceg will return to action for the first time since then when he
meets Kai
Kara-France in the UFC 305
co-main event on Saturday at RAC Arena in Perth. A victory over
another top contender could put “Astro Boy” right back into the
middle of the title discussion, but he’s taking a realistic view on
his standing in the flyweight division.
“The division is looking pretty stacked at the moment. There’s
every opportunity for somebody to come in there and steal it before
I get there,” Erceg said. “I think likely [if] I beat Kai, I have
to fight once or twice more to get a title shot again.”
However, there are goals beyond winning a UFC title that appeal to
Erceg. And to get to where he wants to be, that means taking on all
comers.
“I want to be the toughest guy in the division, not just the
champion,” Erceg said. “Champion, it’s the main goal, but it means
nothing if you’ve dodged everybody. When people look at the
flyweight division, like, ‘Oh, Steve’s undoubtedly the best fighter
in that division.’ There’s not, ‘Oh, but Amir
Albazi,’ none of that crap. I’ve beaten them all, I’m the guy.
I want to fight everybody and prove that.”