Steve Erceg believes he blew his probability to turn out to be the UFC flyweight champion on Saturday at UFC 301.
Erceg was combating Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of the pay-per-view card in simply his fourth UFC battle. It was an unbelievable rise for Erceg to even battle for the belt, however he got here up simply quick in opposition to Pantoja, and he believes he blew his probability.
“I actually thought if I may get him down I’d eat up the time on the bottom and make him much more drained,” Steve Erceg instructed FULL SEND MMA within the aftermath of UFC 301 (through MMAJunkie). “So I most likely would’ve accomplished the very same factor. Subsequent time I simply have to be higher at is. I believed it may’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.”
Erceg shot a late takedown within the fifth spherical, and Pantoja ended up scrambling to get on high, and rode out the spherical, which may have been the distinction. With Erceg leaving Brazil with out the belt, he says he’s devastated by his choice however vows to be again.
“I’m clearly devastated,” Erceg mentioned. “Regardless of the quick discover, or three fights within the UFC, I got here to win. I believed I may do it. I believed I used to be ending excessive, however he out-scrambled me. He did higher, and I’ll be again.”
Alexandre Pantoja Praises Steve Erceg
After UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja heaped reward on Steve Erceg for the way robust he was.
Pantoja edged out a unanimous choice win to defeat Steve Erceg and defend his flyweight title for the second time. After the win, the Brazilian had nothing however type phrases to say to Erceg, however he believes he clearly received the battle.
“I believe I clearly received the primary three rounds of the battle,” Pantoja mentioned by a translator at his UFC 301 post-fight media scrum (through MMAFighting). “The fourth spherical may of been his. The fifth spherical was mine, so I undoubtedly assume it was 4-1. The man was very robust. It was what we mentioned. It is a man from Australia, very robust, that individuals didn’t actually know, and he got here in there to die. He was ready to die and I believe that’s what it’s all about whenever you battle for the championship.”
With the win at UFC 301, Pantoja improved to 28-5 as a professional. As for what’s subsequent for him, he isn’t positive however Pantoja is aware of he probably will face him once more sooner or later.
“I actually need to see him in opposition to a top-five man on this division,” Pantoja mentioned of Steve Erceg. “I need to see how he works out. I believe he’s going to achieve lots of house on this division, however proper now I’m not interested by that. I don’t need to take into consideration the health club or combating, I need to take into consideration the seashore. … Possibly tomorrow that modifications, however for now that’s it.”
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