UFC flyweight Steve Erceg isn’t one to get excited about a fight right when he gets it, but facing Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico on Saturday has him pumped and ready to go.
“Honestly I was uncharacteristically excited. Usually the first thing that hits me is the nerves,” Erceg told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m about to fight this badass UFC fighter, but I don’t know what it is. Maybe cuz it’s like a guy I looked at for so long. It’s like a dream fight, fighting in Mexico, I was pumped for the opportunity. I’m going to take it with both hands.”
Erceg (12-3) comes into the fight against a former champion on a two-fight losing skid. He lost his title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301, and then three months later took a tough loss against Kai Kara-France.
Instead of stepping back Erceg may have taken an even tougher fight as he looks to avoid a three-fight losing streak.
“I was surprised that they gave me another main event spot, and somebody so highly ranked, but I mean all I want to do is fight the toughest dudes on the planet. Whether I have setbacks or whatever that doesn’t bother me. Obviously losing sucks, but yeah I want to prove that I’m a tough guy,” he said.
“Never would think of turning down a fight specially of this magnitude.”
A victory against a former two-time champion in Moreno could bring exactly what Erceg is looking for. Mainly a path back to another shot at the flyweight title.
“This is definitely (would be) my biggest win. As far as where it puts me it puts me right back in the mix. I think likely Kai Kara-France will probably fight for the title, and then I think (Brandon) Royval and (Manel) Kape have done enough to be #1 contenders so they’ll probably fight each other,” he said.
“Then I’ll fight somebody highly ranked first and then loser or winner of one of those fights. As far as what it does for me in life in general…when I look back in 40 years and I look at all the legends that I’ve had the privilege of sharing the cage with that’s the coolest part.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Steve Erceg above. He headlines UFC Mexico alongside Brandon Moreno on Saturday night.
