Australian UFC fighter Steve Erceg misses title chance with ‘shock’ mistake

Steve Erceg didn’t walk away with the UFC flyweight crown, but the West Australian won over a legion of new fans after a courageous display against undisputed champion Alexandre Pantoja in Rio de Janeiro.

Pantoja won Saturday night’s (Sunday EST) fight by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the five-round match 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.

But Erceg had his chances to win, landing a series of heavy blows during the second, third and fourth rounds to leave the champion bloodied and bruised.

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However, Erceg’s decision to go for two takedowns in the fifth round proved his undoing, with Pantoja reversing the move each time to dominate the round on his way to victory.

If Erceg had won in the fifth round, he would have won the fight.

“I thought if I could win the last round I would give myself a chance, but I blew it,” a devastated Erceg said after the fight.

“I was surprised how well he did. I used to beat the guys there, so it was a shock.

Erceg, fighting for only the fourth time in his UFC career, landed 80 significant strikes to the head, compared to Pantoja’s 54, but it was the Brazilian who dominated when it came to ground wrestling.

“What an incredible guy, an incredible opponent,” Pantoja said of Erceg after the fight.

Pantoja, spurred on by the crowd’s death chant of “uh vai morrer” (you’re going to die) at the Farmasi Arena, won the first round despite an early kick from Erceg.

Erceg spent most of the round fighting for survival on the ground as Pantoja’s wrestling skills showed through.

The Australian was knocked out again early in the second round, but managed to get out of trouble and immediately went on the attack, landing a huge right elbow and left hook on the champion.

Pantoja was left with blood pouring from his forehead after a huge right elbow from Erceg in the third round.

Blood began to enter Pantoja’s left eye during a fourth round that Erceg largely controlled.

But Erceg’s attempt at two takedown attempts in the fifth ultimately undid him.

Erceg has enjoyed a meteoric rise since his UFC debut in June of last year.

After knocking out David Dvorak, Alessandro Costa and Matt Schnell in impressive fashion, Erceg got the chance of his life when he was offered the title against Pantoja.

Despite the loss, Erceg’s courageous performance will certainly give him more opportunities against some of the best fighters in the flyweight division.

In the co-main event, UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo came from behind to defeat No. 13 ranked bantamweight Jonathan Martinez by unanimous decision.

Aldo, called the greatest featherweight of all time by Australian UFC star Alexander Volkanovski, was competing for the first time since August 2022.

The 37-year-old Brazilian showed no signs of rust, landing a series of brutal punches in the third round to secure the victory.

Aldo consoled a devastated Martinez just after the final bell in an emotional moment between the two fighters.

“I said this won’t be my last fight,” Aldo said.

“I’m at the age where I can still fight. Maybe I can go back and be the champion.

In the middleweight fight, world No. 14 Caio Borralho thrilled the home crowd by knocking out world No. 13 Paul Craig in the second round.

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