Steve Erceg has an extra pep in his step going into Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 64 main event against Brandon Moreno.
After a title-fight loss to Alexandre Pantoja was followed by a first-round knockout defeat to Kai Kara-France, thing looked grim for Erceg (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC). He didn’t feel great about his spot, but then the phone rang with an opportunity to headline against former two-time flyweight champion Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-4-2 UFC) at Arena CDMX in Mexico City (ESPN2, ESPN+).
“I was uncharacteristically excited,” Erceg told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 64 media day. “Usually the first thing that hits me is the nerves, like, ‘I’m about to fight this badass UFC fighter.’ But I don’t know what it is. Maybe because he’s a guy I’ve looked at for so long, fighting in Mexico. I was pumped for the opportunity and I’m going to take it with both hands.
“I was surprised they gave me another main event spot against someone so highly ranked, but all I want to do is fight the toughest dudes on the planet. Whether I have setbacks or whatever, that doesn’t bother me. Obviously losing sucks, but I want to prove I’m a tough guy. I would never think about turning down a fight, especially of this magnitude.”
If Erceg, No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie flyweight rankings, can upset No. 3-ranked Moreno, he said he puts him back on the perfect path back toward title contention.
“This would definitely be my biggest win,” Erceg said. “As far as where it puts me, it puts me in the mix. I think likely Kai Kara-France will probably fight (Alexandre Pantoja) for the title. Then I think (Brandon) Royval and Manel Kape have done enough to be No. 1 contenders, so they’ll probably fight each other. Then I’ll fight somebody highly ranked first, then the loser or winner of one of those fights.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
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