A pair of former flyweight title challengers faced off at UFC Perth on Saturday, with Australia’s own Steve Erceg taking on veteran Tim Elliott.
Both men were coming off victories, with Elliott on a modest two-fight win streak including a submission of Kai Asakura last August. Erceg had most recently found success against Ode Osbourne.
Elliott came out with is tradmark unusual style throwing multiple spinning kicks to the body early. Erceg stayed composued and looked for a big shot on the outside. A right hand from Erceg landed on the chin of Elliot. After eating the blow Elliot returned fire and connected on a punch inside the momentairly dropped Erceg. Elliot would land a takedown moments later that may have secured him the round.
A nice jab from Elliot got things going in the second round. The veteran would throw a dangerous elbow right after that nearly missed Erceg’s chin. Elliot was in an out of range bobbing back and forth with jabs and body shots. At the midway mark of the round Elliot would land another takedown. Erceg continued to circle the outside, looking to counter with straight punches as Elliot came in. Both fighters would land a takedown before the fight returned to the feet. This was quickly turning into a high pace fight that looked to be taking its affect on both competitors.
With the fight likely scored 1-1 the third round would be the deciding frame of the fight. Erceg was putting together some of his best volume this round throwing a considerable amount of punches in the first minute. The jab of Erceg was starting to keep Elliot at bay, while landing points for the Austrailian. Elliot was walking through punches, but it was Erceg was doing the damage from the outside. A great fight between these two flyweights went to the scorecards with Erceg picking up a much needed win at home.
Official Result: Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliot via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
