Former UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg will not be gracing the Octagon in his home country at UFC 312 in Sydney. Instead, the Australian fighter is set to face rising Kazakh star Asu Almabayev at a UFC Fight Night event on March 1, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
🔥🚨BREAKING: A flyweight bout between Steve Erceg and Asu Alambayev has been booked for UFC Fight Night on March 1. 👀 pic.twitter.com/WuZDe5Ily6
— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) January 2, 2025
Steve Erceg vs. Asu Almabayev better suited for UFC 312
This matchup, first reported by MMA insider Benny P, has left many fans and pundits scratching their heads. UFC 312, scheduled for February 9 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, was seen as the perfect stage for Erceg to bounce back from his recent setbacks in front of a home crowd. However, the decision to place this compelling flyweight clash on a Fight Night card has raised questions about the strength of the UFC 312 lineup.
Erceg, known as “AstroBoy,” is looking to rebound after a challenging 2024. Despite starting the year with a spectacular knockout victory over Matt Schnell, Erceg’s momentum was halted by a narrow defeat to Alexandre Pantoja in a surprise title shot at UFC 301. His fortunes didn’t improve when he suffered a quick loss to Kai Kara-France on home soil later in the year.
On the other side of the cage, Asu Almabayev enters this bout riding high on a remarkable 17-fight win streak. The Kazakh fighter has been nothing short of impressive since joining the UFC in 2023, amassing a perfect 4-0 record in the promotion. His most recent victory, a dominant performance against Matheus Nicolau, catapulted him to the #8 spot in the flyweight rankings.
The decision to place this fight on the March 1 card has not been without controversy. Many fans and analysts believe that a matchup of this caliber would have been better suited for the PPV event in Sydney. The absence of Erceg, along with other Australian stars like Alexander Volkanovski, Jack Della Maddalena, and Kai Kara-France, has left some questioning the appeal of UFC 312 for the local audience.
Flyweights ready to showcase on March 1st
However, the March 1st Fight Night is shaping up to be an intriguing event in its own right. Headlined by a flyweight clash between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape, the card also features promising matchups across various weight classes. The addition of Erceg vs. Almabayev only adds to the event’s potential for excitement.
🚨UFC VEGAS 103 MAIN EVENT🚨
🔥Brandon Royval will take on Manel Kape at #UFCVegas103 on March 1st.
5 rounds. Flyweight. Main event.
[first rep. @AgFight] pic.twitter.com/sE1wG75puI— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 21, 2024
For Erceg, this fight represents a crucial opportunity to regain his footing in the competitive flyweight division. A win over the surging Almabayev would not only snap his losing streak but could also propel him back into title contention. Almabayev, meanwhile, aims to continue his ascent up the rankings and potentially position himself for a title shot with a victory over a former challenger.
As the UFC’s 2025 schedule continues to take shape, the placement of fights like Erceg vs. Almabayev will undoubtedly be scrutinized. While some fans may be disappointed not to see this matchup on Australian soil, there’s no denying the potential for fireworks when these two flyweight contenders meet in the Apex on March 1.
With UFC 312 still over a month away, there’s time for the promotion to bolster the Sydney card with additional high-profile bouts. However, for now, fight fans will have to wait until March to see Steve Erceg back in action, as he looks to reassert himself in the flyweight division against the dangerous Asu Almabayev.
