Steve Erceg, the next challenger for the UFC flyweight title, thinks he has solved the problem of how to beat current champion Alexandre Pantoja. The opportunity has come out of nowhere for the number ten-ranked fighter in an unexpected shot at UFC gold on May 4th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil1. This is less than a year after signing and only his fourth fight1.
He did it with a highlight-reel knockout of Matt Schnell at a UFC Fight Night event at the Apex1. Injuries, a weight miss and history with the champ ruling out Amir Albazi, Manel Kape and Brandon Royval — still, despite all that — Erceg will be headlining UFC 3011.
The plan is to capitalize on May 4th for Erceg’s part. He shared with Zac Pacleb on ufc.com what he thinks it will take to get past Pantoja — rest time and overemphasis on jiu-jitsu are things previous opponents have given up against “The Cannibal”1. Those are mistakes he won’t make at Jeunesse Arena.
“He almost lets people hold centre and cover-up while he’s resting,” said Erceg. “I think many people seem to really want to wrestle him back because they’re worried about his jiu-jitsu. The people that have been most successful, I think were just moving around non-stop.”