Steve Erceg doesn’t deny that his shot at the UFC flyweight title came under unusual circumstances.
Less than a year since signing with the UFC, Erceg already finds himself headlining a UFC pay-per-view and challenging for the undisputed belt at 125 pounds. Erceg (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) takes on champion Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) this Saturday in the top billing of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro – something few saw coming.
“I know I wasn’t at the top of everyone’s mind when it came to a title shot,” Ergec said Wednesday at UFC 301 media day. “But just the way the division was with Pantoja already beating all the challengers, people are injured and the only other guy up for the shot was (Muhammad) Mokaev, I was on the same card as him, and I had a more exciting fight than him, (so) UFC decided to give me the shot.
