Steve Erceg’s path to UFC: From local shows to the big stage.
MMA is a sport that has expanded its reach across the world and the UFC is the biggest and most well-known organization. Bouts are fought by fighters from around the globe and everyone wishes to be a part of the UFC but only a few get this chance. Among them is Steve Erceg, an Australian talent who has fought his way to the UFC through hard work, determination and passion for the sport. Going from local shows to the big stage of the UFC, Erceg’s journey is one that shows the passion, hard work and, most importantly, the will to succeed. In this article, we look at Erceg’s journey, from local circuits to the biggest stage in MMA. The Introduction to the MMA and the First Stage of Its Evolution Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Steve Erceg was not always certain that he wanted to pursue professional MMA. Like many of his peers Erceg first became involved in combat sports through traditional martial arts. Born in Australia, he was raised in a culture that encouraged the spirit of sports and competition as well as a number of sport disciplines for young people. Erceg was actively involved in different sports in his early ages but he had a special interest in the martial arts. His first experience of combat sports was with conventional martial arts such as karate and jiu-jitsu. Erceg trained in a local dojo; he started learning his grappling and striking techniques. These was the early days that shaped him and set the stage for what would be his life’s passion for the MMA. He was a fast learner and displayed potential in terms of technical and tactical knowledge, work ethic and attitude. Soon the desire to compete increased and he started entering local amateur wrestling tournaments. Moving from One Combat Sport to Another: The Case of Mixed Martial Arts Erceg did not switch from traditional martial arts to MMA overnight but the growth of the sport interest him. MMA had been on the rise by the late 2000s and the UFC was becoming the cream of the crop in the sport. Australian fighters such as Robert Whittaker were doing well overseas and this was encouraging other young fighters in the country. He was fascinated with the idea of MMA as he believed that this is the best way to prove who is the best in terms of martial arts. It wasn’t just about mastering one discipline but becoming proficient in many: punching, kicking, clinching, throwing, and submission. This approach interested him and he realized if he were to continue with martial arts then mixed martial arts was the way to go. He started training in the MMA gyms in Perth and got a chance to be a part of a new combat sport. He also got the guidance of the experienced coaches and being surrounded by other athletes who were also passionate for the sport helped him to enhance his skills in all aspects of the game. The initial days were very tough as there were many hours in a day that were spent in honing the skills and developing the strength necessary for a cage fight. Erceg’s dedication was evident and he did not take long before he was willing to fight in his first amateur bout. Early Fights: Part II: The Amateur Circuit Steve Erceg is no stranger to the competitive platform of the MMA and he kick started his career in the local amateur circuit of Western Australia. It is not as glamorous or as well-funded as the professional circuit, but this is where most fighters start and develop. For Erceg these early fights were very useful in developing his skills and the much-needed experience of the cage. He fought against different people with different abilities and techniques of fighting. Some of them were good with striking, others were good at grappling or wrestling. These early fights made Erceg realize that one has to be a jack of all trades. That was why he was not allowed to depend only on his kickboxing or wrestling skills; he had to develop into a versatile fighter. His fight IQ increased as well as his confidence as the years went by. Erceg’s amateur career was marked by one key feature that is the ability to handle pressure. It didn’t matter if the opponent was a striker or a grappler, Erceg did not panic but thought tactically and tried to find a way to end the bout in his favor. He was mentally very strong and along with the development of his skills, he was a formidable player in the local circuit. Coming into the Professional Level Steve Erceg had several amateur bouts and felt that it was time to move to the next level in his career. In 2016 he started his professional career and fought in regional shows in Australia. Leaving the amateur to the professional level is a big step where a lot is at risk, the competition is much greater and the attention is much more intense. But Erceg was ready. He made his professional debut in a local Australian show and proved that he is well rounded. He emerged the winner in the event and won the hearts of both the fans and promoters with his skill and doggedness. From there, his professional career started to build up. Competing in promotions such as Eternal MMA, one of the biggest regional shows in Australia, Erceg slowly built up his reputation as one of the country’s top up and coming talents. The Australian based promotion company Eternal MMA, which is known for developing high level fighters, provided Erceg with the right stage to prove his worth. He gained the fans’ hearts with his thrilling performance in the fight and his finishing skills. An increase in the Regional Circuit While still competing professionally Erceg started to gain victories and establish himself as one of the best fighters in his weight division. Having won a number of
