Steve Erceg 'devastated' by UFC 301 title struggle loss: 'I blew it'

Steve Erceg is conscious some ill-timed determination making probably value him from leaving UFC 301 as new flyweight champion.

Simply 11 months after making his promotional debut, Erceg (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) challenged Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) for the title on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, arising quick by unanimous determination in a struggle that finally determined by the fifth spherical.

Two of three judges had the struggle knotted at two rounds every going into the ultimate body, the place Erceg was doing effectively till being reversed on a takedown try. That allowed Pantoja to take the spherical and shut the struggle sturdy.

“I actually thought if I might get him down I’d eat up the time on the bottom and make him much more drained,” Erceg instructed FULL SEND MMA within the aftermath of UFC 301. “So I most likely would’ve achieved the very same factor. Subsequent time I simply should be higher at is.

“I assumed it might’ve been 2-2 or 3-1 for him. I knew it was shut within the third. I knew I used to be on the fourth. I fought to win the final spherical to place myself within the place that I give myself an opportunity. I blew it.”

Though few had been giving Erceg a lot of an opportunity towards Pantoja, who has defeated many of the ranked fights within the division, the truth was a lot totally different.

The Australian exceeded the expectations of many along with his valiant efficiency, however Erceg isn’t right here for ethical victories. He needed to go away Brazil with the belt, and admits it’s troublesome not reaching that purpose when it was inside his grasp.

“I’m clearly devastated,” Erceg mentioned. “Regardless of the quick discover, or three fights within the UFC, I got here to win. I assumed I might do it. I assumed I used to be ending excessive, however he out-scrambled me. He did higher, and I’ll be again.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.