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He’s been dubbed ‘Pizza Boy’ and likened to The Office’s Michael Scott – and now breakout Australian UFC fighter Steve Erceg is on the cusp of earning one of the fastest title shots in company history.
Despite being only three appearances into his UFC career – and ranked at No.10 among flyweights — Erceg is suddenly locked into what has been dubbed “a two-man race” to face Brazilian champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301.
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If Erceg is catapulted into the May 5 title bout, it would not only be one of the quickest runs to a title ever, but fulfill a stunning prediction the fighter made to Fox Sports Australia shortly before his UFC debut, when stating of his run to gold: “Realistically, I’m thinking four fights”.
While nothing has been confirmed by the UFC, Erceg said this week he is absolutely ready to fight for the UFC flyweight strap after Pantoja recently announced plans to headline UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.
Better, the champion added that he also keen to face the breakout Perth native, who has rocketed into contention following an outstanding KO win over American Matt Schnell earlier this month at UFC Fight Night 238.
According to reports out of the US, the only other challenger now standing in Erceg’s way is Russian Muhammad Mokaev, although his most recent decision win against Alex Perez – on the same card as Erceg — wasn’t anywhere near as impressive as the fighter dubbed ‘Astro Boy’.
The Australian’s chances have also been aided by a series of unfortunate challenges faced by other contenders higher than him in the rankings, including injury, losses, concussions, even weight issues.
With only seven weeks until the fight, the topic has become a big discussion point in UFC circles with plenty of commentators and fans suggesting Erceg be given the shot.
Should that happen, it will continue an incredible run for the fighter who has only been in the UFC nine months.
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Should he fight for, and win gold, at UFC 301, his title run would have taken just 330 days.
The breakout Aussie star is also quickly gaining something of a cult following internationally, with even Pantoja comparing him to actor Steve Carrell. Elsewhere, fans have also taken to calling the fighter ‘Pizza Boy’ due to his looking more like a guy who delivers slices than knockouts.
Yet after losing in just the second fight of his professional career back in 2017, Erceg has since gone on a tear of 11 straight wins – seven via finish — which included upsetting David Dvorak in his Octagon debut, and as a $3.50 TAB outsider.
Asked about facing Pantoja at UFC 301, Erceg told MMA Junkie this week: “It is super fast, but I told you I wanted to get to the title as fast as I can.
“I assume they’re probably going to give it to (Muhammad) Mokaev, even off of his poor performance just because that’s what Pantoja asked for.
“But if they call me, I’m going to step up.
“I’m here to show that I’m the best fighter in the world, so two days, eight days, five weeks, whichever it is, I’ll show up and put on a show.”
Pantoja, however, also mentioned Erceg as a possibility.
“Now I’m 9-0 with all the top 10, but you have good new names coming to the division,” the champion said in an interview with Sportsnet.
“Who calls that guy out?!” | 01:21
“You have Mokaev making a great fight with Alex Perez.
“You have Manel Kape, but I already beat him.
“You have (Erceg), the guy from Australia – he’s really good.
“He fought Matt Schnell. He looks like Steve Carell.
“He’s a good fighter.
“I knocked out Matt Schnell in the first round. He did it in the second. Maybe it’s a good option for the UFC, too.”
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia after being signed to the UFC, Erceg said he was giving himself just five fights to become world flyweight champion – a run to the title that would rival the likes of Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya.
However, when the West Australian sat down with us again only days out from his debut, and after having endured several unforeseen delays due to Visa issues, he made a new prediction which now, almost impossibly, appears on the cusp of coming true.
Reminded of his initial five-fight title claim, Erceg laughed: “I actually think I can get there even faster now.
“Realistically, I’m thinking four fights.
“But I’d also love for it to be three; win this weekend, fight a top five guy and then get a title shot after that.
“Initially, my goals were to turn professional by 21, be in the UFC by 25 and be UFC champion by 27.
“Obviously because of the Covid pandemic, and then with me having some Visa issues, it’s meant that some time has been taken away from me.
“But to get (Dvorak) on debut, I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me recently how all these setbacks, they happen for a reason.
“That God has a plan.
“And now I’m (debuting in the UFC) not only more mature but physically I’m really coming into my own.
“It really does feel like this is me getting some of that time back.”
Erceg added the delays also meant his was debuting in the UFC at a time where he was also ready to “challenge the best guys straight away”.
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