Career Averages - Steve Erceg
Career Averages - Ramazan Temirov
Steve Erceg - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 90 of 261 | 34% | 93 of 265 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 136 of 254 | 53% | 136 of 254 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 39 of 91 | 42% | 40 of 93 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 24 of 55 | 43% | 24 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 27 of 78 | 34% | 28 of 79 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 47 of 85 | 55% | 47 of 85 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 3 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 24 of 92 | 26% | 25 of 93 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 65 of 114 | 57% | 65 of 114 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 90 of 261 | 34% | 44 of 191 | 11 of 27 | 35 of 43 | 87 of 255 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 136 of 254 | 53% | 122 of 236 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 129 of 245 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 39 of 91 | 42% | 20 of 57 | 5 of 15 | 14 of 19 | 39 of 89 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 24 of 55 | 43% | 21 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 27 of 78 | 34% | 10 of 56 | 4 of 8 | 13 of 14 | 24 of 75 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 47 of 85 | 55% | 44 of 82 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 44 of 81 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tim Elliott | 24 of 92 | 26% | 14 of 78 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 24 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 65 of 114 | 57% | 57 of 102 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 64 of 112 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Elliott (21-13; 10-11 UFC), one of the flyweight division’s top spoilers over the last several years, looks to take that role once again in this featured clash with Perth’s own, “Astro Boy” Erceg (13-4; 4-3 UFC). Lukasz Bosacki is the referee on duty. Both men are in orthodox stance and Elliott immediately starts with his oddball striking attack, switching stances, hanging his hands at his waist and stabbing out with Jon Jones-style oblique kicks at Erceg’s lead leg. The contrast could not be much greater, as Erceg comes forward in his classic, composed upright stance. Through the first 90 seconds, the resulting collisions are sporadic and awkward; Erceg slides forward but refuses to be drawn into a wild firefight, while Elliott lands sporadic strikes but can’t string anything together. A little past the halfway mark, Erceg lands a clean one-two that represents the best offense by either man thus far. Erceg appears to be growing more and more comfortable, but Elliott catches him with a sweeping right hand that hurts him. Again, Elliott can’t follow up, and Erceg recovers. Erceg places a couple of stiff jabs on Elliott’s chin, and takes a glancing hook in return. Elliott changes levels and gets a fast takedown against the fence, but Erceg gets right back up. They separate, meet in the center of the cage and Elliott gets another takedown right after the 10-second clapper. The horn sounds. 10-9 Elliott.
Round 2
Elliott is switching stances constantly as they meet in the middle of the cage for Round 2. Erceg again pursues in disciplined fashion, sliding forward and cutting off the cage while Elliott springs in and out of range, spins and throws off-balance single strikes. Elliott is talking, but a minute in, it’s Erceg landing the cleaner, sharper punches. Elliott’s kicks are effective, landing to Erceg’s lead left leg from both sides, mixing in some body work. Elliott changes levels and grounds the Australian with a double-leg, but Erceg pops back to his feet instantly. They disengage and meet against in the center of the Octagon, and it’s Erceg launching a takedown attempt, which Elliott defends. Erceg gets the better of a couple of pocket exchanges, then gets a clean takedown in the middle of the cage. Elliott escapes to his feet and scores a takedown of his own. Erceg escapes to his feet with a minute left and tags Elliott with two unblocked punches. Elliott is hurt but far from out of it, marching forward and swinging big. Erceg gives ground, plants and returns fire with more accurate punches to the head. It’s still competitive, but the momentum has definitely swung the other way as the horn sounds. 10-9 Erceg.
Round 3
Erceg walks down Elliott, who comes up just short with a superman punch. Erceg’s jab continues to define the fight, as he can’t seem to miss with it. The jab is scoring for Erceg, answering everything Elliott throws at him and preventing the American from building any kind of momentum. Elliott hacks away at Erceg’s left leg with two hard low kicks. Erceg suddenly launches a big high kick that glances off of Elliott’s guard, then goes right back to work with his bread-and-butter jab and right cross. Elliott is still in Erceg’s face at the midpoint of the round, coming forward with big swinging punches, and Erceg is calmly sniping him on the counter every single time. Elliott drops levels and runs Erceg all the way across the cage with a double-leg, depositing him on his butt at the base of the fence. Erceg gets right back up and Elliott disengages rather than keep wrestling. When they meet again it’s more of the same: Erceg slipping big telegraphed attacks from Elliott and returning fire with ultra-clean punches. The horn sounds on what was, by the end, a quietly dominant performance for Steve Erceg. 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg).
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg despite being a known hater, because he believes Erceg is the cleaner, more technical grappler. He thinks Erceg's durability and wrestling will overcome Tim Elliott's pressure. However, he criticizes the -400 odds as too high and finds it hard to connect the dots.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by third-round submission. He believes Erceg is the better striker and has underrated grappling, while Tim Elliott slows down and has poor submission defense (submitted six times). Brady expects Elliott to be competitive early but fade, allowing Erceg to catch a late submission.
Cody picks Erceg but is hesitant, noting Erceg's inconsistency and chin issues. He believes Erceg's takedown defense and counter grappling will be key, and that Elliott's age and travel fatigue may work against him.
Connor picks Elliott, arguing that if Elliott fights like he did in round two against Kai Asakura—pressuring and wrestling—he will win. He notes Erceg's footwork falls apart under heavy pressure and that Elliott is a better wrestler than people think. Connor acknowledges the risk of Elliott fighting stupidly but believes the current version of Elliott is more playful and enjoys breaking opponents.
Daniel Vreeland picks Steve Erceg, expecting him to take over in the later rounds. He notes Tim Elliott's funky style and early-round danger but believes Erceg's cardio and submission threat will prevail. He also mentions Elliott's jet lag complaints as a potential factor.
Erceg has every advantage: home crowd, younger, better striker, better grappler. Elliott has poor striking, bad takedown defense, and is weak off his back. Erceg went five rounds with Pantoja, so submission risk is low. Surprised Erceg isn't a bigger favorite; tempted to bet straight.
Lucrative James picks Steve Erceg to win via submission in round three. He expects Tim Elliott to start strong but fade, allowing Erceg to take over in later rounds with superior cardio and grappling. He references Erceg's past performances where he dominated late rounds.
The host picks Erceg, believing his Muay Thai and BJJ will nullify Elliott's grappling. He expects Erceg to land more damage on the feet and win a decision, possibly catching Elliott in a submission. The host notes Elliott's value but thinks Erceg is the more skilled fighter.
Paul picks Erceg, emphasizing his strong takedown defense and performance against top competition. He notes Elliott's age and travel issues, and believes Erceg will edge out a close decision in Australia.
The MMA Guru picks Tim Elliott after initially considering Steve Erceg. He worries about Erceg's inconsistency, citing the Ode Osbourne fight, and believes Elliott's craftiness will lead to a split decision win. He thinks Erceg may fumble in the big moment.
Zane picks Erceg, reasoning that Tim Elliott is likely to 'fuck around' and think takedowns will come easier than they will. He notes Erceg is a sharp boxer with good hands and combinations, and that Elliott's chaotic style could leave him exposed. Zane acknowledges Elliott could win if he pressures and wrestles correctly, but he's betting on Elliott's inconsistency.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 39 of 82 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 4:47 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 35 of 74 | 47% | 47 of 89 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 26 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 17 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 53 | 37% | 10 of 42 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 43 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 35 of 74 | 47% | 20 of 53 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 14 | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 17 of 32 | 53% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 11 of 25 | 44% | 4 of 18 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 12 of 25 | 48% | 7 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 6 of 17 | 35% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 6 of 17 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-400); Osbourne (+300)
Round 1
We have reached the co-main event, a battle between two flyweights who decided that they would be better suited competing at 135 pounds on late notice. Former title challenger Erceg (12-4, 3-3 UFC) has run into a competitive wall as of late, and he fights down in the rankings to take on Osbourne (13-8, 1 NC; 5-6 UFC). The referee for tonight’s penultimate match will Mark Smith, and the athletes tap gloves together before getting down to it.
Osbourne claims the center of the cage, fishing with his jab and awkward up-and-down hand movement. Osbourne kicks the front leg of his foe multiple times, and he sits back when Erceg advances to aim a counter. The left hand from Osbourne bounces Erceg off the wall, who rebounds and lets go with a big overhand right. Osbourne chips at the heavy favorite, chewing up his knee with oblique kicks and parrying the oncoming fire. Osbourne times Erceg with two crisp punches, standing the former title challenger up and marking up his nose. Osbourne continues chopping at the knee with kicks, and he narrowly dodges a big right hand up top. Osbourne keeps moving his hands in circular motions, and when Erceg comes in, he pops him in the chops with a right hand. Erceg slings a right hand to set up a takedown shot, and Osbourne springboards off the wall to get out and back to kickboxing range. The Aussie just misses a looping right hand, and he stands a little too still after swinging.
Osbourne fires off a huge right hand to the temple, and Erceg crashes face-first into the wall. Still somewhat with it, Erceg looks for a single, pushing the underdog to the fence while trying to recover. Osbourne starts smacking him upside the head while defending the takedown, and he uses his weight to topple over on top of Erceg. Osbourne scrambles to take his back, and Erceg keeps moving and gets back to his feet. Erceg turns the tables on his opponent, wrangling him to the mat and snaking around to take his back. Erceg starts hunting for a rear-naked choke while getting his hooks in, and Osbourne times a moment to spin around in the guard and wind up on top without getting subbed. Osbourne tosses out a head kick as Erceg stands, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Round 2
The athletes hand-fight to start off until Osbourne looses a big body kick. Erceg’s attempted counter is caught with a right hand on the jaw. Erceg calms himself down and shoots for a single, pressing the underdog to the wall. Erceg works the body with short punches to try to take some of the sting out of the punches. They switch position while clinches until Osbourne breaks free.
Both men throw out jabs, and Osbourne connects with a hard inside leg kick. Erceg boots Osbourne upside the head, and “The Jamaican Sensation” does not bat an eye. Erceg sticks out a few right hands, using them to set up a takedown shot. A knee from Erceg bangs into the cup, and Osbourne grimaces and Smith tells the fouling fighter to watch it. There is no break, so Osbourne takes it into his own hands to separate himself. Erceg reaches after him with a body kick on the way out. Erceg steps in with a left hand, and Osbourne busts him in the chops with a right hand that staggers him. The Aussie’s takedown shot fails, but his front kick after it digs into the body. Osbourne stays elusive and trips Erceg coming forward, but he misses a few big hooks. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to start the final frame, and they both land at the same time. Erceg pitches a head kick that Osbourne is able to partially block, and Osbourne shrugs it off and gets after the former title challenger. Osbourne connects with a hard right hand, and Erceg stumbles and shakes it off to go for a single. “The Jamaican Sensation” trades in the pocket for a moment, and he calms down to thrust out jabs. Erceg digs him with a single punch, chaining it into a few more with a right hand at the end. Erceg lands first and last in a flurry, and he shoots for a double and lifts Osbourne off the ground. Erceg dumps his foe to the mat, allowing Osbourne to scramble so he can get to a more advantageous position.
The Aussie steps into half guard, staying heavy and flat chest-to-chest to not let Osbourne buck him off. Rather than attack, Erceg smothers, to which he uses the heavy pressure to advance to full mount. Osbourne spins around to his knees, and Erceg welcomes this too so he can get his back. “Astro Boy” secures the body triangle, and he loops his left arm beneath the chin but does not have the anchor arm to complete it. Perhaps due to the sweatiness of both men, but Osbourne is able to squirm around and work his way out of bad position and upright again. Erceg aggressively grabs Osbourne and chucks him to the floor, where Osbourne lands on his knees taking fire on both sides of his head. Erceg fastens a rear-naked choke that is on the chin and not under it, and he bails on it to sit up and deliver two gnarly punches before time expires. The second round could be the difference-maker as to who prevailed in this co-headliner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Osbourne)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, emphasizing that Erceg is an accomplished wrestler who should use takedowns against Ode' Osbourne, who has poor takedown defense. He criticizes Erceg for not wrestling in recent fights. If Erceg wrestles, he should win; if he strikes, he could lose. Angelo hopes Erceg has learned from his mistakes.
Big Brady is confident in Steve Erceg, noting his losses came only to champions or top contenders. He believes Erceg is better everywhere, especially in grappling, and that Osbourne has poor takedown defense, cardio, and durability. Brady predicts Erceg will submit Osbourne in the second round.
Connor picks Erceg because he is a more structured, consistent fighter than Osbourne, who is fast but dysfunctional and gasses easily. He notes that Erceg's defense is a concern but that he manages distance well when on the front foot, and that Osbourne's tendency to jump into the pocket will lead to takedowns and grappling where Erceg has the advantage. Connor acknowledges the southpaw question but believes Erceg will handle it.
The host believes Erceg is the better fighter with superior Muay Thai and a BJJ black belt. He acknowledges Osbourne's speed and power shown in his last fight, which is a concern as Erceg has been dropped before. However, he thinks Erceg will dial it in to avoid a four-fight losing streak and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, calling him a more well-rounded mixed martial artist than Ronaldo Rodriguez, who beat Osbourne. He believes Erceg has better chin, submission defense, and IQ. He predicts a 30-27 decision or a third-round finish, dismissing Osbourne's chances unless he catches Erceg early.
Zane picks Erceg, noting that Osbourne is a dark horse who can deliver a top flyweight result but is inherently dysfunctional. He highlights Osbourne's poor takedown defense (65%) and tendency to gas, while Erceg is tough, has good grappling, and doesn't make many mistakes going forward. Zane is concerned about Erceg's lack of experience against southpaws but thinks Osbourne's style will force wrestling, which favors Erceg.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 89 of 176 | 50% | 95 of 182 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 116 of 279 | 41% | 119 of 282 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 68 | 36% | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 27 of 48 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 57 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 89 of 176 | 50% | 59 of 138 | 18 of 25 | 12 of 13 | 87 of 174 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 116 of 279 | 41% | 90 of 237 | 11 of 24 | 15 of 18 | 115 of 278 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 40 | 52% | 14 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 68 | 36% | 18 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 46 | 45% | 14 of 37 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 27 of 48 | 56% | 20 of 39 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 10 of 24 | 41% | 3 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 50 | 40% | 16 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 19 of 35 | 54% | 15 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 57 | 43% | 19 of 49 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 18 of 31 | 58% | 13 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 19 of 56 | 33% | 17 of 50 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moreno (-238), Erceg (+195)
Round 1
The only ranked matchup—meaning, fight between two fighters with numbers next to their names—is in the main event, and it should be a fun one. Former champ Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC) turned things around with a decision over Amir Albazi a few months ago, while Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC) has still not shaken the dust off after unsuccessfully vying for the flyweight strap. The triumphant man may position himself better towards another championship opportunity, while the defeated’s stock will take a serious hit. Referee Herb Dean brings the two 125ers to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and have the two bump their fists. They do. It’s on with the show. Jabs are outstretched to one another’s general direction, and Moreno commits first with a looping left hand. When the first misses, he fires it again and bangs it into Erceg’s temple. Moreno gets behind his jab, and he checks a kick aimed at his front leg. The lunging left gets through again, and he follows it with a left to the liver and a kick to the same spot. Moreno’s left side continues to get through, as he again blitzes with a left. Erceg sticks him with a few jabs and a right hand, and the low kick at the end of the combo is checked. Moreno pecks out a jab and a left hook, and Erceg walks him down to throw hands for a moment before splitting off. Moreno’s leaping left hand sends Erceg staggering off to the side, and he gathers his thoughts and pins a few punches on the raised guard. When Moreno’s left is established, he hurls out a right to surprise his opponent. Erceg drills him in the ribs with a pair of punches, and he comes up an inch or two shy of a snappy front kick. Chants in support of Moreno practically do not cease, with the crowd excited to celebrate each and every moment of success for their fighter. Moreno gets in again, and the audience booms in delight. Erceg gets off jabs and low kicks, but the power is firmly in the favor of the former champ. Erceg sneaks in a left shovel uppercut, and Moreno sits down with a body kick in response. Erceg flashes his jab a few more times, planting it at the top of the head. Moreno clacks him with another big overhand right, and a second shakes him up and forces him to jump away and shake it out. Moreno uses the opportunity to chop down the front leg, and jabs are where the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 2
Erceg rushes out of his corner to take the center of the Octagon, where he paws away jabs from his opponent and pitches a head kick up high. Moreno blocks and blasts Erceg with a right hand, and Erceg scoots away to not stay on the gunnery range. They crash together, and Erceg drives home a right hand and steps in with a knee. Erceg slips a punch to deliver an uppercut on the chin, and he tries to skirt away but takes two nasty leg kicks. Moreno steps in to fake like he will kick a third time, and goes up top with a left hand. Moreno dings Erceg with a second left, thwarting any attempt for Erceg to tie things up. Moreno times a counter right to knock Erceg back from a kick, and both men chain solid combinations together on one another. Moreno kicks the leg, and Erceg peppers out a jab. Moreno’s own jab allows him to get in and get off two left hooks, and he ducks down to mess with Erceg by grabbing his ankle. Erceg regains his balance and flicks the jab out, and he just misses a right hand and rushes away but gets kicked on the way out. Moreno drills Erceg with two clean hooks, and Erceg stands straight up and wonders what the number was of that bus. When he blinks out the damage, Erceg sticks his fists to the guard of his foe a few times. Moreno beats his man to the punch with a jab, and he lets a front kick go by so he can rip a left hand up top. Moreno capitalizes on the success with a low kick, and both men score single heavy hooks. Chins have been tested and answered the call well, with Erceg trying his foe’s out with a few punches and a high kick. Erceg hits a fade-back right hand, and the round closes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
The round opens with Moreno faking to reach down for a level change. Erceg is not buying it, and jabs him in the face. Moreno lunges forward with a left hook, and he raises his guard just in time to block a kick. Moreno hits air on a pair of looping punches, with Erceg starting to see the power strikes coming. Moreno jabs the body and ignores a front kick that goes by, bobbing and weaving to move with jabs and not take anything flush. Erceg drives his opponent back with an uppercut, and Moreno reaches and barely lands at the end of his right hand. Erceg is slicker and more elusive than the last two rounds, but he still gets reached with kicks that are actively targeting him. Moreno flirts with checking kicks when Erceg kicks low, and he kicks the former challenger in the side. Erceg plants his fists on Moreno’s nose, kicking him in the front leg to mix things up. The fighters slip when trying to dodge one another, and then regain their footing as Erceg plants his feet to put a few punches together. Erceg sets up a knee to the body and backs off to avoid the counter, and he surprises Moreno with a front kick up the middle. Moreno fakes high to kick low, and he reaches with a few left hooks that continue to miss the mark. Erceg is more content to touch while Moreno loads up, but neither man is connecting at a particular high volume. One solid strike from Erceg comes in the form of a knee to the body, and as the round time expires, Moreno shrugs his shoulders.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 4
Having reached the championship rounds, the two pick up where they left off with jab attacks and kicks. Erceg aims to split the guard while Moreno wants to dig beneath or around it. Moreno successfully loops a single left around the defense of his opponent, and he pops Erceg with a second to force Erceg to stumble away. The Aussie is no worse for wear, wide-eyed to watch out for Moreno walking him down. Erceg forces Moreno to stay honest, keeping the jab in his face when not backing off to defend himself. Erceg times a front kick on the belly, hurting Moreno for a moment as the Mexican staggers back and forth confusedly. Moreno bites down on his mouthpiece and lunges into action, landing flush until Erceg kicks him upside the head. Another front kick from Erceg gives him a moment to breathe, as Moreno bears down on him looping heavy shots at him. Erceg jabs, follows the jabs and has to guard the oncoming fire from the former champ. Moreno starts talking to him, and Erceg grins when taking a few punches on the chin. Moreno goes high and then to the ribs, with his left hook drawing blood on the side of Erceg’s right eye. Erceg pays it no mind and kicks Moreno in the melon. Moreno laughs it off and swings back, and he keeps talking while throwing hands. Erceg defends from an overhand right, and he has his head kick pushed back while Moreno chases him around the cage. Moreno jabs the body, and the fans in the building start booing the fighters for their lack of heavy engagement after three rounds. Moreno shoots in for a single to quiet the masses momentarily, and he pulls Erceg to his seat and forces Erceg to scramble right before the bell. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 5
The crowd is largely on its feet as the fighters signal to them to give it up. The athletes are all smiles, and they get down to business by punching one another in the face in the final period of the fight. Moreno loads up on big right and lefts, and he lets Erceg try to do the same so he can make the Aussie hit air. Moreno sways and moves from a combo to let fly a left hand, torqueing his body in unusual ways to keep from being struck. Moreno winds up with a nasty leg kick, and a second is checked. Moreno jumps forward and possibly goes for a level change, but Erceg is having none of it and puts his hands in the former champ’s face. Erceg lifts up a kick that bangs into the raised guard, and when Moreno stings him, Erceg slips back. Moreno charges, ripping punches and hammering Erceg with a high kick. Erceg shells up and bounces off the fencing to reset, but he finds that Moreno is still right in front of him like always. An Erceg head kick mildly bumps into the guard, and Moreno reaches him with a right hook. Doubled jabs from the former beltholder lead to a right hand, and Erceg steels himself and drills Moreno in the chin. Erceg pushes out his jab, and Moreno does not budge an inch even when tagged. Moreno gives a bit of ground to lure Erceg in towards him, and when Erceg does not bite, he meanders forward. Erceg looses a head kick, and Moreno grabs it and hurls the former title challenger to his back. With 50 seconds to go, Moreno looks for a guard pass, positioning Erceg in an uncomfortable posture nearly doing a split on his back. Moreno successfully leaps over to the side with seconds to spare, and he jams down elbows until the horn concludes this five-round entanglement. Moreno stands and screams, waving off the doctor and pacing back and forth in anticipation of the result. Barring something unusual, Mexican fighters will end the night way ahead of foreign adversaries. Meanwhile, Moreno is about to pick up his first win in the Octagon on home soil. The former champion, who is now officially on a win streak, calls for an opportunity to compete at UFC 320 in Guadalajara, Mexico, this September. If he makes it on that event, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
The Official Result
Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Connor argues that Steve Erceg has been rushed into tough fights, facing Pantoja, Kai Kara-France, and now Moreno without proper development. He highlights Erceg's defensive boxing flaws, particularly his lack of head movement and tendency to overcommit. Connor believes Moreno's experience and technical superiority will exploit these weaknesses, leading to a Moreno win.
James picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing Moreno's vast experience advantage (over 30 fights vs 15 for Erceg), superior durability, better cardio, and higher fight IQ. He notes Erceg has been knocked out recently and has shown poor decision-making in late rounds, as seen against Pantoja. James acknowledges the elevation factor but believes Moreno's gas tank is more reliable, especially late. He predicts a late stoppage or more likely a decision win for Moreno, and mentions that if there's value, it lies with Erceg as an underdog.
Zane agrees with Connor that Erceg is being mishandled by the UFC, taking too many high-level fights in a row. He notes that Erceg's takedown attempt against Pantoja was a rookie mistake, and that he hasn't had time to develop. Zane sees Moreno as a tough test that Erceg isn't ready for, and picks Moreno to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Kara-France | 2 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kai Kara-France | 2 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Kara-France | 18 of 51 | 35% | 11 of 35 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Steve Erceg | 9 of 29 | 31% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kai Kara-France | 18 of 51 | 35% | 11 of 35 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Steve Erceg | 9 of 29 | 31% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-166), Kara-France (+140)
Round 1
The lone all-Oceania battle comes in the co-main event, with New Zealand’s Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC; 7-4 UFC) aiming to snap his first losing streak in nearly a decade at the expense of former undisputed title challenger and Western Australia native Erceg (12-2, 3-1 UFC). Even with both men coming up short in past championship opportunities, a win tonight and maybe one more may propel the victor into contention once more. Referee Rich Mitchell will be the first to know who that is, and he sits back as the fighters come together to clap hands. Erceg shifts directly to the center of the cage, and they both are prepared for the other’s leg kick as they anticipatorily lift their lead legs when squaring up. Kara-France lunges forward after 45 seconds elapse with three looping hooks, and Erceg dances away from them all and pokes out a jab. Erceg jabs again, prompting Kara-France to do the same to the midsection. Erceg ducks just in time to dodge a looping right hand, and Kara-France is out of the way before he can get countered. Erceg jabs his way forward, and Kara-France sticks him to the ribs. Kara-France kicks the front leg and attacks the body, and Erceg kicks him back. Erceg keeps Kara-France at the end his punches, and Kara-France still manages to reach him with winging strikes. Erceg rolls with them just in time, and his own jab reddens the nose of the City Kickboxing product. Erceg puts an uppercut on the guard, bouncing Kara-France back to the fence. Kara-France unleashes a big right hand, and Erceg fires back fearlessly. “Don’t Blink” thumps the front leg and aims a jab to the body, and he strafes to the side but is still met with a jab. Kara-France winds up with a massive left hand, sending Erceg flying. The back of Erceg’s head clatters off the mat, possibly reactivating him after a flash knockout. Kara-France aims and misses two standing-to-ground punches before Erceg dives after his leg, and Erceg uses the close range to explode back to his feet. Kara-France is on him loaded for bear, firing off a huge right hand that forces Erceg to retreat as fast as he can. Kara-France connects with a massive right hook on the temple, and Erceg shifts to the side to dodge. Unfortunately for “Astro Boy,” he circles right into the power right hand of the Kiwi. Kara-France detonates a bomb of a right hand on Erceg’s dome, sending him down in a heap. Two punctuating punches to the side finish the job as Mitchell races in to rescue Erceg from further harm. Kara-France has done it, springing the sizeable upset and becoming the first fighter to knock out the durable youngster. Erceg does not protest the stoppage when he gets back to his feet while in Mitchell’s protective embrace, instead showing disappointment in himself for getting caught like this. Meanwhile, Kara-France jumps to the top of the fence and celebrates his handiwork with the elated audience.
The Official Result
Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg R1 4:04 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg because of his size advantage and grappling, believing he can use his size to lean on Kai Kara-France and get the fight to the ground. He notes that Kara-France has great takedown defense but is tiny, and Erceg is big for the division. He considers it a close fight and suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Kara-France might be good.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by third-round submission. He favors Erceg due to durability (never knocked out or submitted) and grappling upside (BJJ black belt). He notes Kara-France has been finished six times and is hittable. He believes Erceg can hurt Kara-France on the feet and then submit him. He acknowledges the striking could be competitive but thinks Erceg has more paths to victory, including the younger age and grappling advantage.
Cody sees Erceg as the bigger, more durable fighter with better takedown defense and a higher ceiling after nearly beating Pantoja. He notes Kara-France is on a two-fight losing streak, has been knocked down multiple times, and lacks power against top competition. Cody also mentions Erceg's hometown advantage in Perth.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kai Kara-France via split decision, arguing that Erceg is overrated off his title shot and that Kara-France has the defensive grappling and striking to make it close. He notes that Kara-France has been training hard and won the bleep test at his gym, and that the line movement toward Kara-France suggests sharp action. Vreeland acknowledges the risk of Kara-France's layoff and concussion narrative but believes the fight is a dog-or-pass situation.
Vreeland picks Erceg, calling him the better all-around fighter. He notes Kara-France is good at stuffing takedowns but Erceg's striking power (brutal KO) will make him hesitant. He also highlights Erceg's ground game shown against Pantoja, suggesting a possible submission. He envisions a 'tag and bag' scenario similar to Kara-France's loss to Brandon Royval.
Fox agrees with Erceg for the same reasons: more well-rounded and dangerous everywhere. He emphasizes Erceg's ability to hurt Kara-France on the feet and potentially submit him. He notes Kara-France has been submitted before after being stunned.
The host is confident in Erceg, citing his technical striking, height advantage, and defensive grappling. He expects Erceg to land straight shots and counter Kara-France's power shots. He also notes Erceg's submission threat. He believes Erceg is the more complete fighter and will win by decision or submission.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Erceg's performance against Pantoja as a revelation that he belongs at the top. He notes Kara-France's takedowns won't be effective because Erceg gets back up easily, and that Erceg's size and durability will be key. Paul also points out the travel advantage for Erceg fighting in Perth.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg over Kai Kara-France. He praises Erceg's activity, technical striking, and game planning, noting he is taller and good at picking shots against shorter opponents. He criticizes Kara-France for being one-dimensional, always stepping in with the same overhand. He acknowledges Kara-France's takedown defense but believes Erceg will win a decision, possibly dropping Kara-France. He mentions Kara-France's long layoffs and losses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 125 of 242 | 51% | 143 of 262 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 0 | 0 | 8:15 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 111 of 212 | 52% | 129 of 233 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 34 of 59 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 27 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 28 of 43 | 65% | 33 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:13 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 37 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 23 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 20 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 125 of 242 | 51% | 75 of 184 | 33 of 39 | 17 of 19 | 96 of 207 | 14 of 16 | 15 of 19 |
| Steve Erceg | 111 of 212 | 52% | 87 of 181 | 16 of 23 | 8 of 8 | 107 of 207 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 30 of 55 | 54% | 17 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 11 |
| Steve Erceg | 17 of 35 | 48% | 12 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 23 of 48 | 47% | 16 of 39 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 41 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
| Steve Erceg | 28 of 43 | 65% | 23 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 34 of 57 | 59% | 15 of 36 | 15 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 49 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Steve Erceg | 22 of 45 | 48% | 17 of 38 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 23 of 55 | 41% | 18 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 31 of 63 | 49% | 23 of 52 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 15 of 27 | 55% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Steve Erceg | 13 of 26 | 50% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pantoja (-185), Erceg (+154)
Round 1
The evening concludes in the flyweight division, as extremely violent champion Pantoja (27-5, 11-3 UFC) welcomes the next challenge of his belt. That comes in the form of relative neophyte Erceg (12-1, 3-0 UFC), who was not on the UFC roster one year ago. Make no mistake, Erceg has shown he has the skills to be a legitimate contender, and he is calm as a cucumber in the biggest fight of his life. Referee Marc Goddard receives the honor of officiating the final bout of the evening, and it begins with the two coming together to bump fists as they receive instructions. Pantoja immediately surges into action, chasing the challenger around the cage with reckless flurries of punches. One such press bullies Erceg to the wall, and he fights off a takedown attempt and gains some separation as his nose is already reddening. Erceg keeps his jab outstretched to keep the champ at bay, and he lines up several punches and a head kick to surprise Pantoja. Pantoja gathers himself and lets loose with a number of body shots, and they tie up and knee at the same time to force them apart. Erceg jabs with his foot, toes outstretched. Pantoja comes in close, stringing together three punches and a knee that cuts the challenger on the top of his forehead. They trade low kicks, and Erceg looks for a right hand but is beaten to the punch when Pantoja gets off a left hand and a leg kick. Pantoja lands a big right hand, and he races forward and tackles Erceg to the mat. Erceg utilizes a butterfly guard to keep Pantoja from claiming top position, and he bucks the champ off momentarily. Pantoja rushes at him and knees him in the chest before smothering down to get into half guard and climb on top. Pantoja drops down a few punches before Erceg works his way back upright, only for Pantoja to drag him down from behind. Pantoja holds Erceg’s leg in a strange position to keep him pinned to the mat, and he knees Erceg in the side and forces Erceg to turn the other direction to nearly surrender his back. Pantoja unleashes a blitz of ground-and-pound, and Erceg steels himself and works back to his feet, although Pantoja still has the waist lock behind him. Pantoja wrangles Erceg down to his seat again, and Erceg scrambles madly to climb back up. Erceg walks Pantoja down with seconds left in the round, and he misses with a knee before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 2
The flyweights clock in, and Erceg looks to establish his jab only for the champion to bull-rush him with an unorthodox slew of punches, elbows and knees. Pantoja uses his aggression to tie Erceg up and consider a single, but he breaks off so he can knee Erceg in the guts. Pantoja jumps forward to land a jab, and Erceg pushes him away with a front kick. Pantoja crowds the pocket with flying fists, and Erceg struggles to land in response. Erceg gets in a few jabs, breaking up the looping shots from Pantoja. Pantoja wanders into a firefight, and he chucks Erceg to the mat just when Erceg lands cleanly on him. Pantoja climbs over to full mount, and Erceg sits up in an effort to escape it and recover back to half guard. Erceg sweeps the champion, and Pantoja does not mind as he knees Erceg in the belly twice before they split apart, back on their feet again. Erceg lets go a left hook that bangs into the temple, and he dips down with an uppercut and shoots for a takedown. Pantoja lets him do this so he can snatch up a guillotine choke, and Erceg bails on the attempt immediately to get out of the submission danger. Erceg lands first and last during an exchange, and he brushes past the face with a front kick. Pantoja lashes out with a right hand, and he catches Pantoja coming in with a vicious elbow and a powerful left hand. Pantoja decides to shoot for a takedown, but Erceg shuts it down and starts walking the champion down. Erceg pops out a jab, and he elbows Pantoja as Pantoja strides forward. Erceg scores rapid strikes and only slows when Pantoja slaps him with a body kick. Pantoja grabs hold of Erceg, slinging the challenger to the mat with seconds to spare. Pantoja rains down punches, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
Pantoja is ready to attack to start off the round, and Erceg intercepts him on the way in immediately with a stern elbow. Pantoja still manages to tie him up and knee the body a few times before they split. Erceg loops a left hand around the guard, and he scores a low kick and lands a few punches before escaping to avoid the counter. Erceg catches his man with a right hand, and Pantoja races after him and plants a kick on the lead calf. Erceg flicks his jab out, and he eats several body shots and gives back a left hand over the top. The challenger misses with a high kick and barely reaches with a front kick, and he backs off when Pantoja charges him. Pantoja goes to the body and head, and Erceg answers the call with a right hand. Erceg lands a few shots, slides to the side and evades the counter. Erceg slips a looping punch, and Pantoja catches him on the way out with a pair of hooks. “The Cannibal” sprints forward and clinches up, and he has a knee bounce off the cup as Erceg grimaces. Goddard is about to pause the action, and Erceg calls him off. The fighters split up, and they throw bombs and detonate them on one another. Erceg lands a body shot, and Pantoja attacks with mighty punches. Pantoja takes an elbow on the forehead that splits him open, and he shoots for takedown and touches the cut that has already started bleeding. Pantoja settles to pursue a body lock takedown, and he gets the challenger down to the mat and lands in half guard. Blood leaks into Erceg’s mouth as Pantoja lords over him, and he takes the back during a mad scramble. Erceg fights and shifts, and Pantoja pounds him with punches until Erceg stands up. Pantoja lands a trip takedown right at the bell, and he holds the wound on his forehead until the cutman tends to it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 4
Erceg leads off in the championship rounds aggressively, and Pantoja meets him in the middle ready to counter and let fly a kick. Pantoja overswings with a right hand, and Erceg is composed and jabs while kicking low. Pantoja lands two jabs, and Erceg tries a trip takedown that Pantoja is easily able to get away from. Erceg lands at the end of a right hand, and he scores an elbow as well. Pantoja tries for a takedown that is shut down, with Erceg making him pay courtesy of an uppercut and left hand. Erceg lands first in the battle of the jab, and Pantoja races into action with three punches that appear to sting the challenger. Erceg tries for a takedown, and Pantoja again tosses him to the side. Erceg sticks him with a jab and a right hand to follow, and he snaps the head back with his sharp jab. Pantoja kicks low, and it is one-and-done as is volume has taken a downturn as he appears to be taking the round off, relatively speaking. Pantoja throws three punches, and the cut opens back up on his forehead as crimson fluid leaks into his eye. Pantoja wipes at it and clips Erceg with a right hand, and Erceg fearlessly moves forward before shooting for a takedown. Pantoja staves it off and considers a guillotine choke, but opts to release it and circle away. Erceg gives chase and hammers the liver with a left hand, and blood obscures Pantoja’s vision in his left eye. Pantoja whiffs on big hooks, and the few that follow land flush. Pantoja jabs, and he ducks right into an uppercut but does not flinch. Instead, Pantoja grabs hold of the challenger, landing a right hand when Erceg breaks. The round ends, and it could all be up for grabs in the next five minutes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 5
Erceg has plenty of pep in his step, as he practically runs towards the champion to engage. Pantoja meets him standing firm, throwing big hands, and Erceg stumbles as he tries to escape the assault. Erceg switches gears and throws Pantoja off his feet, landing a takedown but finding himself in an uncomfortable position with Pantoja pushes off his groin with his foot. Pantoja turns the tables, works his way back around to take the challenger down, and he circles around to take the back. Erceg stands back up, grabbing the fence to keep himself upright. Pantoja clings to him from behind, looking to drag him down, and Goddard warns Erceg about fouls. Erceg elbows him a few times without looking, and Pantoja drags him down from behind. Erceg spins during a scramble, and he manages to free himself from the grip and back to striking range. Erceg scores an uppercut, and he gets knocked back with a left hand. Pantoja sticks out a left hand as he gets kicked in the head, and he blasts the challenger with a good left hand. Erceg slashes open Pantoja with another elbow, opening a cut on the other side of the head. Pantoja digs a body shot and chains it into a right hand that stuns “Astro Boy.” Pantoja defends a takedown by allowing Erceg to attempt it and roll through it to wind up on top. Blood from the Brazilian pools on the chest of his opponent, with him residing in half guard until Erceg tries to explode and get away. Pantoja drags him back down, and he works the body while Erceg looks to twist and turn. Erceg gives up his back as he moves, and Pantoja follows him and leaps into mount. The champion drops punches on the Aussie until Erceg sits up, and the bloody battle comes to a conclusion. Scorecards could be all over the map here, but no matter the victor, Erceg proved he is among the best 125-pounders in the world.
The victorious Pantoja gives Brazilian fighters 10 wins in 13 fights tonight, in a nailbiter that might look quite different if they run it back in a year or two. The defending flyweight champion now is tied with the active record of consecutive title defenses in the UFC with two, and it remains to be seen who will challenge him next. Pantoja asks for some time off, given his high level of activity. When “The Cannibal” returns, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (48-47 Pantoja)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (49-46 Pantoja)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (48-47 Pantoja)
The Official Result
Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Angelo picks Pantoja, expecting him to wrestle his way to a win similar to his fight with Brandon Royval. He notes Erceg's unassuming look but acknowledges his skill. He says the 2-1 odds are fair given Pantoja's experience and path to victory.
Big Brady emphasizes Pantoja's superior resume and proven championship rounds. He doubts Erceg's power and finishing ability, predicting Pantoja wins a decision in Brazil. He also mentions a prize pick play on Pantoja over 2.5 takedowns.
Cody picks Pantoja, citing his championship experience, improved cardio, and elite grappling with back-taking ability. He notes Erceg hasn't faced a top-tier grappler like Pantoja and is more of a decision fighter. Cody also likes Pantoja by submission at plus money as a prop.
Daniel Vreeland picks Alexandre Pantoja confidently. He wants to root for Steve Erceg because his story is fun, but he doesn't think Erceg's skills match up. Vreeland notes that Erceg's best grappling moments come from countering shots, but Pantoja is nearly impossible to counter on takedowns. Erceg's striking power is also neutralized by Pantoja's defensive soundness. Vreeland emphasizes Pantoja's top game as possibly the best in MMA, comparing it to Islam Makhachev. He says Erceg's scrambling and countering style won't work against Pantoja's positional dominance.
Daniel Vreeland picks Pantoja to win by decision, citing Pantoja's experience, durability, and ability to manage the home crowd emotions. He acknowledges Erceg's toughness but believes Pantoja's path to victory involves taking the back and grinding out a decision. He disagrees with Cody Duran's early finish prediction, leaning toward a decision due to Erceg's durability.
Jeff Fox picks Alexandre Pantoja, surprised the line is as close as -185. He thinks this fight is too early for Erceg, who hasn't faced high-caliber opponents. Fox notes that Pantoja is happy to be champion and fights in Brazil, so he won't drop the ball. Technically, Pantoja is dangerous everywhere, with strong grappling and striking. Fox doesn't think Erceg's strengths (countering shots, throwing bombs) will work against Pantoja, who is defensively sound and has arguably the best top game in MMA. He says if Erceg were +300 or higher he might talk himself into it, but at these odds he sees Pantoja steamrolling him.
Erceg's BJJ black belt and ability to stay out of bad positions will allow him to survive Pantoja's early onslaught. He will force Pantoja to work and turn up the volume in the later rounds, eventually finding a finish as Pantoja slows down. Erceg's slicker striking in deep waters will catch Pantoja off guard, leading to a TKO victory.
Paul picks Pantoja, emphasizing his superior grappling control and ability to take backs. He questions Erceg's competition level and notes Pantoja's cardio has held up in five-round fights. Paul sees Erceg's path to victory as low and recommends Pantoja as a money-line play.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, arguing he is technically superior to Pantoja in all areas. He praises Erceg's takedown defense, clinch work, straight punches, and low kicks, and believes Pantoja's reliance on toughness is a weakness. He also notes Erceg's training with Craig Jones and the UFC's desire for an Australian star. He predicts Erceg will break Pantoja over five rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 22 of 78 | 28% | 25 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 1 | 34 of 72 | 47% | 34 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 69 | 28% | 23 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 0 | 32 of 67 | 47% | 32 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 1 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 22 of 78 | 28% | 18 of 70 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 74 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 34 of 72 | 47% | 24 of 60 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 20 of 69 | 28% | 17 of 63 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 65 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 32 of 67 | 47% | 23 of 56 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-325), Schnell (+260)
Round 1
It is all action on the main card, which begins with a flashy flyweight affair between wild man Schnell (16-7, 1 NC; 6-5, 1 NC UFC) and surging up-and-comer Erceg (11-1, 2-0 UFC). The Fortis MMA fighter has not fared well as of late, but his most recent win was a spectacular technical submission over Su Mudaerji. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Chris Tognoni, who starts the fight as the speedy gentlemen clap hands together. Schnell immediately gets behind his jab, flicking it out repeatedly to back the once-beaten Erceg away. Schnell connects with a series of punches to shake up the Aussie, and he crowds him and eventually clinches with him and uses an elbow on the inside. Erceg separates, and on the break, he lands a strike to open a cut on the top of Schnell’s left eyebrow. Schnell wings punches, and Erceg sees them coming and dodges before jabbing that already damaged eye. Erceg ducks a punch and misses on a counter, and his jab continues to mark up Schnell’s face. Schnell tries for a knee on the inside when they get up close, and Erceg backs him off with two punches to splatter some blood on Schnell’s cheek. Erceg sinks in a leg kick and slides away, and he puts a one-two on the mark and slides to the side to evade the counter. Schnell swings hard but does not land flush, while Erceg is much tighter and more compact. Schnell pushes out his own jab, and he bloodies the nose of his opponent, but his own eye is turning into a crime scene. Erceg gets in a left and pounds Schnell on the cheek with a heavy right, and Schnell wears it well and jabs his way back out. Erceg staggers his foe with a right hand, and cracks him a second time as Schnell backpedals. Erceg wades in a little too carelessly, and he gets rocked by a fiery right hand from “Danger.” Schnell cracks Erceg again with a series of punches, and Erceg defends by shooting. Schnell sprawls perfectly and pops back up without issue, but Erceg bust him in the chops with a right hand. The Aussie connects with a body kick shortly thereafter, and a one-two and a snappy jab find Schnell’s face before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 2
The flyweights meet in the middle and touch ‘em up, and Schnell is ready and rearing to go. He starts off with a pair of low kicks and a combination, and he reaches a right hand around the jab.
Erceg continues to jab, and as Schnell comes loaded for bear, “Astro Boy” rips a right to the body and a left that sends Schnell into orbit. There is no need for anything else from the Aussie, and Tognoni intervenes just in case before tending to the unconscious flyweight.
Schnell comes to, and Erceg has now earned the second knockout of his professional career—doing so against one of the best foes he could in a top-ranked Schnell.
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Matt Schnell R2 0:26 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, noting his slick grappling and ability to scramble. He thinks Erceg will use his length and grappling to win, despite not looking like a professional fighter. He acknowledges Matt Schnell's toughness but believes Erceg will get the win, possibly by decision.
Big Brady picks Erceg to win by second-round submission. He worries about Schnell's chin and durability, noting Schnell has been finished in 6 of 7 losses and has taken massive damage. He thinks Erceg will hurt Schnell and then submit him. He acknowledges Schnell's grappling but believes his durability is a major issue.
Cody picks Erceg, emphasizing Schnell's poor durability and history of getting knocked down. He notes that Erceg is a scrappy fighter with good grappling and volume, and that Schnell's best chance is a Hail Mary submission. Cody believes Erceg will eventually hurt Schnell and finish him, possibly in the middle rounds. He disagrees with the over, leaning towards the fight not going the distance.
Erceg is too clean and precise with his striking for Schnell, who lacks the reaction time to stop him. Erceg should land straight shots down the pipe, drop Schnell, and find the finish. Schnell has durability issues and has been in trouble in fights he even won. Erceg's BJJ is also a threat, but the host prefers a TKO finish. The under 1.5 rounds is plus money, and Erceg inside the distance is the play.
Paul picks Erceg and likes the over 1.5 rounds at -130. He notes Erceg is not a big power puncher but has a high pace and good grappling. He thinks Schnell is chinny and has been knocked out multiple times, but Erceg may not have the power to finish early, making the over likely. He mentions Schnell's durability issues but believes Erceg will wear him down.
The MMA Guru picks Erceg but is not entirely confident. He criticizes Schnell's chin and submission defense, saying he taps easily. He expects Erceg to outdamage Schnell over a decision, possibly dropping him, but notes Erceg's finishing instincts are not great. He predicts a decision win for Erceg.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 74 of 125 | 59% | 104 of 162 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 1 | 6:29 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 54 of 97 | 55% | 85 of 129 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 31 of 54 | 57% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 16 of 36 | 44% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 24 of 45 | 53% | 37 of 60 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 33 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 19 of 26 | 73% | 36 of 48 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 36 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 74 of 125 | 59% | 41 of 87 | 25 of 30 | 8 of 8 | 43 of 91 | 26 of 28 | 5 of 6 |
| Alessandro Costa | 54 of 97 | 55% | 31 of 70 | 14 of 17 | 9 of 10 | 35 of 76 | 19 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 31 of 54 | 57% | 18 of 38 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Alessandro Costa | 16 of 36 | 44% | 6 of 25 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 24 of 45 | 53% | 15 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 30 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 4 |
| Alessandro Costa | 24 of 42 | 57% | 18 of 34 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 35 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 19 of 26 | 73% | 8 of 14 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessandro Costa | 14 of 19 | 73% | 7 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-166), Costa (+140)
Round 1
Crashing into the UFC in June with a huge upset win over a ranked David Dvorak, Australia’s Erceg (10-1, 1-0 UFC) hopes his sophomore effort is just as solid as his UFC debut. Looking to halt his momentum will be Costa (13-3, 1-1 UFC), a former Lux Fight League champ who holds eight first-round finishes on his resume. They will be joined in the cage by referee Marc Goddard, and the preliminary headliner commences as the two flyweights touch gloves. Erceg takes to the center of the cage, and he slowly works his way forward without throwing much of note. When Costa aims a kick low, Erceg counters with a piston-like right hand. Erceg tosses out a leg kick, and a second kick makes Costa spring into action with a hard right hand. Costa flicks out a jab, and Erceg pushes out one back and kicks the inside and outside of his leg. When Costa kicks back, Erceg has a check ready. Costa’s big right hand bounces off the guard, and he swings two hooks as Erceg bears down on him. Erceg gets backed off, but still connects with a power jab. Costa flails long and connects with part of an overhand right, but Erceg is able to move with it to take some of the sting out of it. Erceg prods out his jab and snaps the head back with a right hand, and Costa kicks him in response. Costa rings Erceg’s bell with an overhand right, and he tries to chain another and is met with a knee up the middle and a right hook. Erceg splits the guard with a one-two, and he puts three together and sways to the side to make Costa hurl punches at nothing but air. Erceg goes between the gloves with an uppercut, and he lines up a huge right hand and busts Costa in the face. Costa attempts to take him down as he is rattled, and Erceg spins him around and climbs straight into full mount. Costa turns to his side, and Erceg snatches up a rear-naked choke. Costa is in huge trouble but manages to gut out the submission, as he turns his body and keeps moving. Erceg tries to trap him with another choke attempt, but Costa explodes to get back to his feet, and he pushes the Aussie to the wire. The round ends with both men attempting inaccurate front kicks.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 2
To start off the second stanza, the Australian fighter again claims the middle of the Octagon and moves forward, to force Costa to immediately backpedal. Erceg launches a head kick that pounds into the guard, and he shoves Costa and bounces him off the fence. Costa goes for a home run right hand, and Erceg evades it by a matter of millimeters. Costa is a man on a mission, looking for giant strikes, and he connects with numerous huge strikes as Erceg takes them or tries to keep moving. Costa drives a knee up the middle, and Erceg recovers and returns to put pressure on his opponent. Costa winds up with a hefty leg kick, and a subsequent overhand right stings Erceg again. Costa swings with a mighty right hook once more, and he shoots in low for a single to catch Erceg unaware. Erceg defends himself by getting pushed back to the wall, and Costa drags him down and shifts himself to half guard in a hurry. Costa tries to smash his foe with ground-and-pound, but he throws himself off-balance and allows Erceg to sneak out the back door and climb back to his feet, where he pushes Costa into the wall from behind. Erceg lowers himself down to grip hold of a single, and Costa gets away with a fence grab to stay upright. Erceg knees the body a few times while tightly pressed on his adversary, and Costa jumps guard for an armbar out of nowhere. Erceg defends himself smoothly and lets them both stand, but he continues to press his weight on his aggressive opponent. Costa pushes off, and he lets his hands go to knock Erceg back. As Erceg is wobbled, Costa tackles him to the canvas. The Brazilian turns over to pursue an armlock, and Erceg flips him over and grinds him with elbows on the face until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
The flyweights have reached Round 3, and Erceg is quick to resume the trend where he started the first two rounds pushing the pace early. Erceg backs Costa off, threatening knees and level changes, and Costa blocks a jump knee that is aimed at his dome. Erceg pushes him up to the fencing, and he fights off a trip to keep on his feet. Erceg looks to drag his man down, but Costa awkwardly keeps his balance and may have grabbed the cage again. Erceg transitions to a single, and Costa belts him with an elbow to back him off. Costa comes up short with a sweeping low kick, and Erceg jabs him multiple times in the face before timing a clean level change. Costa is on the mat for barely a second before jumping back up, and Erceg squeezes him up against the fencing to control him further. Costa gets off a solid right hand to back off the Aussie, and Erceg gathers his thoughts and pushes him back to the wall. Erceg looks to tie the legs up and trip Costa down, and Costa hits his knees and powers back up without batting an eye. Costa attempts his own far-side trip that does not succeed, and Erceg elbows him and eats two knees in the belly for his effort. Costa turns him around and sells out for a single, and he dumps Erceg down but cannot control him. Erceg is upright before Costa knows it, and he is pushing the Brazilian against the wall to run out the clock. Costa frames off with knees to the body, and Erceg responds in kind. Erceg cannot get his foe down, and he settles for clinch control until the final horn wraps the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Alessandro Costa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Costa as an underdog, citing Costa's solid striking, tight guard, and real power. He notes Erceg is high volume and hittable, but Costa's power and combination striking could be the difference. He is not betting on this fight yet and may flip later.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by knockout in the third round. He notes Erceg is not on short notice, has a size advantage, and his striking has leveled up. He worries about Costa's durability, as Costa has been knocked out twice before and gets hurt often. Brady believes Erceg's power and improved striking will lead to a finish.
Cody picks Erceg, impressed by his debut on short notice against a ranked opponent. He notes Erceg's durability, scrambling, and ability to push a pace. He thinks Costa's low output and reliance on leg kicks won't be enough, and that Erceg has more dog in him.
Costa is the better fighter and the line is close to even, so taking the underdog at +130 is worth a small shot. Costa will be more aggressive and can stay out of danger if Erceg tries to take it to the ground. Expects Costa to control distance in the striking realm, land big shots, and win by decision.
Paul leans Costa as a dog, citing his leg kicks and power. He thinks Erceg's tall frame may be vulnerable to leg kicks, and that Costa's takedown defense is solid. He notes the line movement towards Costa and sees value at plus money, though he's not overly confident.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, citing his impressive debut win over David Dvorak on short notice and strong regional career. He notes that Alessandro Costa was pieced up by Amir Albazi on the feet, which he sees as a bad sign. He predicts a competitive decision win for Erceg, possibly 29-28, but expresses a slight worry that Erceg might get knocked out due to his build.
Ramazan Temirov - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 66 of 156 | 42% | 87 of 183 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 55 of 139 | 39% | 59 of 146 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Johnson | 0 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Charles Johnson | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 19 of 46 | 41% | 20 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Charles Johnson | 0 | 37 of 78 | 47% | 51 of 96 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 18 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Johnson | 66 of 156 | 42% | 28 of 104 | 23 of 32 | 15 of 20 | 46 of 129 | 20 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 55 of 139 | 39% | 42 of 117 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 118 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Johnson | 15 of 41 | 36% | 5 of 26 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 13 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 21 of 44 | 47% | 14 of 33 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Charles Johnson | 14 of 37 | 37% | 7 of 22 | 5 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 10 of 32 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 19 of 46 | 41% | 14 of 41 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 39 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Charles Johnson | 37 of 78 | 47% | 16 of 56 | 15 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 59 | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramazan Temirov | 15 of 49 | 30% | 14 of 43 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 40 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Temirov (-115), Johnson (-105)
Round 1
A bit leaner than originally intended, the UFC rolls into the Apex station with an even 10 fights on the billing. The event is light on ranked relevance and meaningful matchups from a championship perspective, but each bout means the world to the participants so they cannot be dismissed before they happen. The action starts off in the flyweight division, with a solid fight that has no place in the curtain jerker spot. With four straight wins in his pocket, rising talent Johnson (17-6, 6-4 UFC) wants to go five in a row and stamp himself as a contender at 125 pounds. Standing in his way will be streaking Uzbekistan native Temirov (18-3, 1-0 UFC), who may have only earned one win in the UFC thus far but enters the bout the victor in his last 10 outings. Someone’s win streak is about to come to a screeching halt, and referee Jason Herzog will be there every step of the way. The fighters touch gloves, and the combat begins. Johnson assumes the center of the cage and works his way forward, switching stances to angle his way in. When Temirov does not back off much, Johnson backpedals. This gives Temirov confidence to wing an overhand right and a spinning back kick, and the former catches “InnerG” on the jaw. Johnson shakes it off and bounces off the fencing, and Temirov bears down on him with a looping left. Johnson responds with a knee up the middle, and he follows with a front kick on the chin. Temirov clips him with a big right hand and hurts him. Johnson hits his back and rolls forward to pursue a desperate takedown, stripping up Temirov’s balance but not grounding him for long. Both men climb back up, and Temirov is firmly in the driver’s seat throwing bombs. Johnson takes them well enough but is taking damage, and he gets Temirov to back away momentarily thanks to a groin shot. Herzog checks on Temirov’s condition, who waves him away and wants to keep swinging. Johnson strafes left and right, but Temirov is on him with big punches and flashy strikes. Johnson remains composed as he keeps up his guard, only to walk directly into a check left hook. Johnson’s front kick forces Temirov to back off, and he throws a body kick that gets caught. With Johnson’s leg under his armpit, the Uzbekistani fighter slings a right hand that knocks Johnson off his feet. Johnson jumps back up and rushes forward, punching his way forward until Temirov fires off a spinning back fist. Johnson surges forward and eats another spinning back fist, but the more damaging blow is a left to the liver from “Temurlan.” The concussive blows from Temirov keep dropping Johnson down to a knee, which may or may not be registered as a knockdown but still matters from a damage standpoint. Johnson stands his ground and fires back, and the two trade blows until the bell sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Round 2
The fighters tap gloves to get going, and Johnson forces the issue with pressure and parries a right hook. Temirov darts in with a looping left and then a right, and Johnson’s head movement keeps him safe from harm until he presses in to tie Temirov up and grab hold of a single-leg takedown. Johnson lowers himself to the mat to try for greater leverage, but he cannot ground the man from Uzbekistan and backs off. Temirov goes wide with a haymaker of a right hand, and Johnson prods out with a jab and a low kick. Johnson presents a knee when Temirov loads up, but Temirov is still able to connect with at least one big strike. The huge punches from Temirov keep coming, and Johnson’s evasiveness saves him from the worst of it. Johnson slips in an uppercut when sliding away, and he has another kick caught that results in him getting knocked off his feet. Johnson zips back up to his feet unconcerned, and he takes a clean right hand to the ribcage. Temirov reaches out with a left and rips the body with a kick, and he intercepts the advancing “InnerG” with power punches. Johnson chases after his foe, who is on his bike dashing from left to right. Johnson lunges in with a huge swing, and the quicker Temirov sticks him and moves effectively. Johnson probes with a left hand, but he gets popped with a left on the way out. Temirov flashes a jab that wobbles Johnson’s knees momentarily, and he uses a few more to redden the nose of his opponent. Johnson gets in the pocket and starts to trade, but a left hand from Temirov slams into his face and forces him to stop and blink it out. Johnson pushes forward to get hold of his opponent and level change, but he settles for an elbow up top to break. Johnson uses awkward angles to get in and land a few shots, and Temirov loads up with a bomb of a right hand that smacks Johnson in the beak a slight bit after the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Temirov
Round 3
There is a final glove touch, and Johnson springs behind it to fire off a pair of punches up top. Temirov catches the subsequent body kick, and this time Johnson does not get decked with the overhand right. Johnson takes his leg back, dodges a spinning wheel kick and crashes the pocket to trade. Johnson backs his man up against the fence and works the body with a right hand and a kick, and Temirov retreats along the outer edge of the cage. Both men land at the same time, and Johnson takes it a little harder and is therefore slower to give one back. Temirov punches his way into a tackling takedown, putting Johnson on his seat for a second. Johnson jumps back up and breaks out of the tie-up, and he starts starting punches together while Temirov might be slowing just a hair. Johnson gives chase, unafraid of what comes back his way, and he tees off on a stalling Temirov with a flurry of fists. Johnson is cognizant of the power swings that occasionally come back, and he pays attention and counters while splitting the guard with uppercuts when he can find them. Johnson takes a right hand and wipes his face, and he goes back to rushing after his foe. Johnson blasts the lead leg twice, and Temirov’s balance appears shaken. Just when Johnson is about to attack, Temirov wings a massive right hand that stuns his opponent. Johnson shakes out the cobwebs and continues pressing the action, landing a few long strikes to work his way in. Johnson pounds the body and ends the combo with an uppercut, and Temirov escapes. Johnson probes out with a jab, and Temirov does the same and loops two big hooks after it. Johnson swings with bad intentions, opening himself up to a takedown attempt from the fighter from Uzbekistan. Johnson shuts it down and pushes Temirov against the wall, and he complains to Herzog that Temirov is grabbing the inside of his gloves. Herzog slaps Temirov’s hand, and Johnson pursues a single and bails on it to score a right on the break. Temirov stands firm and plants a one-two on the jaw, and he follows with a spin kick that goes wide. Johnson slips and responds with a right hand, and Temirov grips him tightly and pushes him against the wall. When Johnson frees himself from the clinch, the horn sounds. It might all come down to how the second round is scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Temirov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Johnson)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Temirov)
The Official Result
Ramazonbek Temirov def. Charles Johnson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo slightly leans towards Ramazan Temirov, citing his power and the judges' tendency to favor damage over clean technique. He acknowledges that Charles Johnson is more technical and could win a decision if he fights perfectly, but believes Temirov's power and aggression might sway the judges. He does not bet on this fight due to its razor-thin nature.
Big Brady picks Charles Johnson, citing his superior experience, cardio, and output. He notes that Ramazan Temirov relies on power shots but flyweight knockouts are rare, and Johnson has never been finished. He expects Johnson to win by decision, and even made a bet that if Johnson wins, he'll buy a 'Scallet Gang' t-shirt.
The host believes Temirov is a future title contender and will showcase his potential this weekend. He highlights Temirov's footwork, angle cutting, and explosive approach in the pocket, expecting his power shots to be more impactful. He predicts a knockout within the first two rounds.
The Guru picks Charles Johnson over Ramazan Temirov. He acknowledges Temirov's danger and finishing ability but doubts he can land a KO shot on Johnson, who has a great chin, good cardio, and range. He notes Johnson's win over Joshua Van and close fight with Sumudaarji. He predicts a decision win for Johnson, possibly a late TKO if Temirov slows down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| C.J. Vergara | 3 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 23 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramazan Temirov | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| C.J. Vergara | 3 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 23 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramazan Temirov | 4 of 16 | 25% | 1 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| C.J. Vergara | 23 of 55 | 41% | 18 of 46 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramazan Temirov | 4 of 16 | 25% | 1 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| C.J. Vergara | 23 of 55 | 41% | 18 of 46 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
Angelo picks Ramazan Temirov, noting his lightning-fast striking and power. He acknowledges that UFC debuts are tricky, but Temirov seems different with confidence and experience pushing through adversity. Angelo believes Temirov's speed and power will be too much for Vergara, especially if he connects like Daniel Lacerda did. He plans to wait for prop bets before wagering.
Big Brady picks Ramazan Temirov to win by first-round knockout. He notes Temirov is a knockout artist with power, but Vergara is durable and has never been knocked out. However, Vergara was almost knocked out by Daniel da Silva, so Brady thinks Temirov can hurt him. He worries about Temirov's cardio if the fight goes long, but expects early big shots to get the finish. He suggests this could be a good live bet spot if Temirov doesn't finish in the first.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Vergara is a very tough test but Temirov's athleticism and ability to land shocking shots give him the edge. He points out that Vergara is slow and not dynamic, and Temirov's scrambling ability makes him hard to hold down. Connor thinks the odds are too wide in Temirov's favor.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel is very high on Temirov's aggressive, spinning attack style and killer instinct, but he worries about a potential debut stun. He notes that Vergara is durable and well-rounded but not exceptional. Daniel believes if Temirov fights with his usual confidence, he will win impressively, possibly even becoming the first to knock out Vergara in the UFC.
Temirov is a much better version of Vergara, both leaning on striking. Temirov is more explosive, faster, and better with footwork, cutting angles to crash the pocket. He should land big strikes and find a knockout within the first two rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Ramazan Temirov, praising his finishing potential, explosiveness, and activity. He dismisses C.J. Vergara as 'dog [__]' and notes Vergara's losses and lack of talent. He expects Temirov to win by decision, as Vergara may put up a fight and take a round, but Temirov's youth and experience edge prevail.
Zane thinks Temirov can win if he pushes for the finish, as he is an athletic freak with fast, accurate strikes. However, he notes Temirov has a poor understanding of pace and often wastes time circling. Zane acknowledges Vergara is a tough, persistent pressure fighter who could shut Temirov out if he's lackadaisical.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
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