Steve Erceg: Is he the dark horse in the flyweight division?
Every weight class in the mixed martial arts (MMA) has its fan favorites and popular fighters that are well known to the fans but what makes this sport interesting is the fact that the fighters themselves are unpredictable. The UFC’s flyweight division may not boast the big names like those of the welterweight or lightweight divisions, but it is easily one of the most explosive and skilled divisions in the UFC. Some of the notable fighters in this division include Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, Henry Cejudo who helped in establishing the division and current contenders like Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja. However, beyond the stars that have already been set there is a sea of new talents, and in this sea there is a quite underestimated but dangerous player – Steve Erceg. Erceg is steadily making his way through one of the UFC’s most entertaining weight classes and there is a growing feeling that he may be the flyweight that people should start keeping an eye on. This article goes through Erceg’s path through the sport, his progression, his present career path, his abilities, and why he may be expected to have a great impact in the UFC flyweight division. Is Steve Erceg the next big thing in a division that is already full of talent? Let’s explore. The Flyweight Division: A Landscape of Skill and Speed It is, therefore, important to take a brief look at the UFC flyweight division before looking at Steve Erceg’s more specific journey. And although there are weight categories where muscles and knock out power are the primary assets, the 125 pound flyweight division is a place where speed, quick thinking, and technique are king. While fighters in this division may not possess that massive knockout punch they make up for it in speed and accuracy. In the course of time, the flyweight division has seen some of the most skilled champions in the history of MMA. The former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson is one of the best MMA fighters of all time who ruled the division for years and had no apparent weakness in his game. His reign ended with Henry Cejudo an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling to demonstrate the calibre of talent that competes in this weight class. Modern examples of the champions and top contenders include Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja who have greatly helped in the resurrection of the division. Flyweight fights are characterized by their fast tempos, or the ability of a fighter to work at a fast pace as well as technical striking, ground and takedown defense. In many cases, fighters cannot afford to be specialists, although some of them may be extremely strong in one area or another. This leads us to Steve Erceg, a fighter who is versatile enough to make a living in this division full of talent. The Early Years: Steve Erceg’s story of rising to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. When Steve Erceg first entered the UFC he was not the type of fighter that received much hype. From humble beginnings in Australia, Erceg’s entry into professional mixed martial arts was one of determination and hard work. As is the case with many fighters, Erceg’s journey to the UFC was also a long and hard one, with all the typical difficulties of a fighter who had to start his career in the regional shows before getting noticed by the UFC. Prior to the UFC, Erceg competed in regional shows such as Eternal MMA and Hex Fight Series where he had a good record before joining the big league. When Erceg entered the UFC, he had an impressive 9-1 record which went to show that he had not only talent but reliability as well. But those who paid attention to the Australian MMA scene realized that he was capable of competing with the best fighters in the world while he was competing in those regional championships. His gradual promotion through the ranks is as much a part of him as his fighting style: slow, calculating, and lethal. What makes Erceg’s journey even more impressive is the fact that he was not promoted by social media hype or arrogance that is characteristic of most fighters of the modern generation. However, he left his shows to speak for him. With modern fighters needing to make a scandal or throw a punch at their opponent’s character to remain in the public eye, Erceg is a perfect example of a man who loves fighting more than the spectacle around it. Breaking Into the UFC: The Debut and what was unveiled about the man behind the book. Steve Erceg got his first opportunity at UFC in 2023 and his first fight was at UFC 289. In front of David Dvořák, a UFC fighter with vast experience in the weight class, Erceg was not very familiar to the average UFC viewer. Dvořák entered the bout with a background and a skill set, which put Erceg in the position of the outsider in the eyes of the public. But, as it always happens in MMA, the result is not always predictable, and Steve Erceg was able to seize the moment. Many people thought that Erceg might be outmatched but instead he not only managed to hang with the more experienced fighter, but he was even able to dictate much of the fight, showing a patience and skill that one might not expect from a newcomer. His unanimous decision win over Dvořák was a message, an announcement that the UFC flyweight division is unpredictable, and Erceg is one of the division’s hidden gems. The victory also revealed the aspects of Erceg’s game that make him a formidable opponent to any opponent in the cage. This is not to say that most fighters tend to get nervous in their first fight in the UFC and fail to replicate their training camp game plan; Erceg was the perfect example of a composed fighter who stuck to his game plan. The
