In a battle that left fans on the edge of their seats, Steve Erceg faced the reigning UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, at UFC 301. The stakes were high – gold was on the line. Erceg, just 11 months after his promotional debut, stepped into the Octagon with determination and a dream: to leave Brazil as the new flyweight champion.
The fight unfolded over five intense rounds, with two of three judges scoring it evenly at two rounds apiece going into the final frame. Steve Erceg had held his own, but a critical moment changed the course of the fight. In the fifth round, he attempted a takedown, only to be reversed by Pantoja. That reversal allowed Pantoja to seize control and secure the unanimous decision victory.
Steve Erceg reflected on that pivotal moment: “I really thought if I could get him down, I would eat up the time on the ground and make him even more tired. So I probably would’ve done the exact same thing. Next time I just need to be better at it. I thought it could’ve been 2-2 or 3-1 for him. I knew it was close in the third. I knew I was on the fourth. I fought to win the last round to put myself in the position that I give myself a chance. I blew it.”
Steve Erceg 'devastated' by #UFC301 title fight loss: 'I blew it' https://t.co/XjCMOrvhzC
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 5, 2024
Steve Erceg, Exceeding Expectations
Despite being the underdog, Steve Erceg surprised many with his valiant performance. His Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and relentless spirit pushed him beyond expectations. But moral victories weren’t enough for him.
He wanted the belt, and the devastation of falling short was palpable: “I’m obviously devastated. Despite the short notice, or three fights in the UFC, I came to win. I thought I could do it. I thought I was finishing over the top, but he out-scrambled me. He did better, and I’ll be back.”
Erceg’s journey continues. The fire to reclaim the title burns within him. He knows he was close, and that hunger will fuel his comeback. As he regroups and refines his game, fans can expect to see him rise again. For now, the loss stings, but Erceg’s determination remains unshaken.
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