Steve Erceg doesn’t deny that his shot on the UFC flyweight title got here underneath uncommon circumstances.
Lower than a 12 months since signing with the UFC, Erceg already finds himself headlining a UFC pay-per-view and difficult for the undisputed belt at 125 kilos. Erceg (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) takes on champion Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) this Saturday within the prime billing of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro – one thing few noticed coming.
“I do know I wasn’t on the prime of everybody’s thoughts when it got here to a title shot,” Ergec mentioned Wednesday at UFC 301 media day. “However simply the way in which the division was with Pantoja already beating all of the challengers, persons are injured and the one different man up for the shot was (Muhammad) Mokaev, I used to be on the identical card as him, and I had a extra thrilling struggle than him, (so) UFC determined to provide me the shot.
“I’m right here to be the perfect man on the planet, so whether or not I’m an underdog or favourite, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m moving into there to struggle one other dude in a cage, and whoever is greatest goes to return out on prime.”
Some say this is a perfect and pressure-free place for Erceg, as few anticipate him to win provided that he’s ranked No. 10 within the UFC’s official rankings and nonetheless new within the promotion.
Nevertheless, Erceg doesn’t purchase that. He has excessive expectations and sees himself with simply as a lot stress because the champion.
“Actually, I imagine there’s simply as a lot stress on me as there’s on Pantoja,” Erceg mentioned. “I do know that, yeah, technically he’s the champ, and he’s the favourite and all that, however I’ve been working for this dream my entire life, and that is the end result of all my onerous work. To lose right here could be devastating. I’ve all of the stress on my shoulders, and I’m assured within the work I’ve executed over time. I’ve labored very onerous for a really very long time.”
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