Australia’s Steve Erceg expects to be escort out of Brazil by a security team immediately after winning one the most unlikely titles in UFC history, saying: “People will want to kill me … that’s how this is going to go.”
While he may be dubbed ‘Pizza Boy’ and likened to The Office’s Michael Scott, 27-year-old Erceg is now set to create Australian sporting history when he faces UFC flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja.
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Despite boasting just three Octagon appearances — and still being ranked at No.10 in the flyweight division – UFC officials have confirmed ‘Astro Boy’ will challenge Pantoja at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro on May 5.
Should the breakout Perth prodigy do the unthinkable and win, his run to gold will not only be among the fastest in UFC history but up there with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey and Anderson Silva.
Only a week ago, Pantoja hinted in a video posted to socials that — with several flyweight contenders having recently lost fights or been injured — he was now set to face a challenger “nobody knows about”.
Then with a smile, he added: “Do like Apollo Creed did for Rocky Balboa in the first movie”.
And guess what?
“I have Italian heritage,” Erceg tells Fox Sports Australia with a laugh.
“So giving me my Rocky moment … mate, that’s not something you should be doing.”
Better, the shock Australian title challenger also his shock world title blockbuster on a tear of 11 straight wins which, most recently, included a highlight reel KO of American Matt Schnell.
“So,” Erceg adds, “I feel sorry for the guy that’s going to be standing in front of me.”
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Making his UFC debut only last June, the West Australian walked to the Octagon on just eight days notice – and as a $3.50 TAB outsider — against the flyweight division’s No.10 David Dvorak.
And to the surprise of almost everyone outside his immediate circle, Erceg won.
From there, the Aussie was then supposed to face Schnell, however the American pulled out of a scheduled November fight, leaving ‘Astro Boy’ to beat Alessandro Costa before then kayoing his initial rival this month.
So convincing was that win, Erceg was effectively catapulted into a two-man race for the title as a series of unfortunate challenges struck down contenders higher than him in the rankings — including injury, losses, concussions, even weight issues.
While many thought Russia’s Muhammad Mokaev would eventually be picked to face Pantoja on the UFC 301 card, it instead goes to the fighter fans have dubbed ‘Pizza boy’ given his looks are more like that of a fella who delivers slices rather than knockouts.
In a recent Pantoja interview, the champ even suggested Erceg looked like actor Steve Carrell.
None of which worries the fighter now gunning to become just Australia’s third UFC champion, after Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkanovski.
“Because over the years I’ve been compared to so many people,” he cackles, before running through a list including the likes of NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, tennis ace Novak Djokovic, fictional model Derek Zoolander, even Fogell – aka McLovin – from the hit comedy film Superbad.
“There’s a heap of them, I probably get more than anyone else.”
All of which you seem OK about?
“If I couldn’t have a laugh I’d be in trouble,” he admits, still grinning.
“Being in the business I am, people are always making memes, talking smack about me … but thankfully I’m very equipped to handle all of that.”
Which is why he reckons that UFC security team will need to help him out of Brazil.
“Because I’m coming to beat the champion in his hometown,” Erceg insists.
“So it’s extremely likely that, walking to the Octagon, the crowd will be telling me that I’m going to die.
“Same as afterwards, when I have that belt, security will have to usher me away because they’ll be throwing bottles at me.
“I’ll have to get on a plane and get out of there fast because people will want to kill me.
“That’s how I think it’s going to go.”
Despite the surprise of everyone, including Erceg, at the title shot, the Aussie actually predicted as much to Fox Sports Australia last year after initially being signed to the company – when he said it would take five fights for him to win gold.
However, when the fighter chatted with us again only days out from his debut, and after having endured several unforeseen delays due to Visa issues, he made a new prediction laughing: “I actually think I can get there even faster now.
“Realistically, I’m thinking four fights.”
And now, here he is.
Asked about when he was given the life changing news, Erceg says he was initially told about a potential title fight last Thursday by UFC officials, with Pantoja then releasing his cryptic ‘Rocky’ post soon after.
The fight was then finalised early this week.
Asked what he was doing when the first call come through, the new UFC title challenger laughs: “Eating KFC.
“I had a three piece box and a massive popcorn chicken.
“I remember thinking ‘um, I probably shouldn’t be eating this’ but I couldn’t convince myself to throw it out.
“So I put it in the fridge and ate it over the rest of the day.”
So you were surprised, even despite your own predictions?
“It’s funny, because before my last fight I actually got asked about fighting for a title by the UFC broadcast team,” Erceg says.
“They said ‘would you be up to fighting Pantoja in 10 weeks time?’.
“It came out of nowhere.
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“I thought to myself ‘I’m not even ranked in the top 10 yet, how would I get that?’.
“But I said ‘look, obviously I will take that fight but I think it’s unlikely’ …”
So when you got the call?
“I couldn’t stop laughing,” he admits.
“I’m probably one of the lowest ranked people to ever fight for a UFC title.
“But that doesn’t bother me.
“After I beat Schnell too, dad actually thought I would get this fight.
“Maybe he’s psychic, I dunno.
“But I was surprised.
“But I can’t say that I’m not ready.
“I believe in my skills.
“Think I’m more technical than he is too.
“I’m coming for that belt in his hometown.”
Sounds like you’re a fan of the Rocky flicks too we’re guessing?
“How can you not be?” Erceg cackles.
“I know the boxing in those movies, it isn’t that high level.
“But the story, yeah, it’s very entertaining.”
Source Agencies
