UFC flyweights dipped their feet into the 135 pool as Steve Erceg got a short-notice opponent in Ode Osbourne at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday night.
Erceg (12-4) was in need of a victory over Osbourne at the APEX to snap a three-fight skid. Losses to Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France are nothing to scoff at, but it still put Erceg with his back against the wall.
Osbourne (13-8) accepted the bout on short-notice when Hyun Sung Park withdrew to face Tatsuro Taira at UFC Vegas 108. He was fresh off snapping his own three-fight losing streak when he beat Luis Gurule in April.
Round 1 Osbourne took the middle of the octagon with Erceg working on the outside. Leg kicks for Osbourne, Erceg worked straight right hands. Erceg got in close to land a left hand and Osbourne landed a heavy 1-2 making him think twice about it.
Erceg would try to get into range and Osbourne’s speed caused him a ton of issues as he got cracked a few times. He finally opted to shoot for takedowns, didn’t get it, but it’s a good change of pace and a different look.
A nasty counter left hook landed for Osbourne that rocked Erceg and forced him to shoot the single leg. Erceg wasn’t able to get it and Osbourne got his own takedown and took Erceg’s back quick. Erceg was able to get back up, get his own takedown and he took Osbourne’s back with about 45 seconds left in the round. Erceg got back to his feet as the round ended.
Round 2 Erceg took the middle, but he was eating the side kick to the lead leg again. Erceg shot the single leg again taking Osbourne to the fence. Erceg got away and back to the middle of the octagon.
Erceg began putting his hands together by using timing instead of speed. He landed a right hand then shot in for a takedown getting taken to the fence. Osbourne turned Erceg and pushed him off landing a body kick on the break.
Osbourne was clearly stronger than Erceg at 135 pounds.
Round 3 Osbourne got back to putting pressure on Erceg landing a nice left hand on him. Erceg responded with a well-time head kick. Erceg began faking single legs to give Osbourne something to think about. He’d fake then fire up top because Osbourne was reacting to the fakes.
Erceg shot in and Osbourne was just a second too slow and got taken down. Erceg took side control with his left leg stuck in half. He put pressure with his shoulder on the chin and neck of Osbourne’s.
Osbourne tried to force a scramble, did but Erceg grabbed the front head lock, got the trip and took dominant position again with less than 30 seconds left.
The fight ended with Erceg in full mount landing two punches.
Erceg took the victory via unanimous decision snapping that three-fight losing streak and possibly starting his road back to a title shot.
Official Result: Steve Erceg def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
