What’s Next for Steve Erceg After His Big Win?
Steve Erceg secured a massive win this past weekend, snapping a three-fight losing streak in the UFC. Taking a short-notice fight against Ode Osbourne in the Bantamweight Division, Erceg earned a close decision victory by landing effective strikes on the feet and controlling the ground game. A loss in the fight could have been a tough hole for Erceg to get out of. Now, the big question is: what’s next for Erceg in the Flyweight Division, and what does he still need to prove?
Though Erceg was coming off three consecutive losses, those defeats came against top-tier competition. Alexandre Pantoja is considered one of the best Flyweights in UFC history; Brandon Moreno is a former champion who remains close to title contention; and Kai Kara-France recently challenged for the belt. These aren’t easy matchups, and Erceg held his own in several of those fights, proving his resilience and skill at a high level. At 26 years old, Erceg still has time to sharpen his skills and fight his way back into the Flyweight title picture. To do so, Erceg should look to improve his striking consistency and defense. While he has shown that he has knockout power, he tends to get passive when pressured and tends to absorb a lot of strikes. Leaning more into his grappling could be key — his ground game was crucial in securing the win over Osbourne, yet in past fights he has hesitated to attempt takedowns despite his evident skill on the mat. Developing a more aggressive and well-rounded striking approach would make him a more dangerous and unpredictable fighter.
Looking ahead, Erceg will benefit from matchups that challenge both his striking and grappling. Fighting someone near his ranking could offer a balanced test without jumping too far ahead from Osbourne. A fighter like Asu Almabayev might be an ideal next opponent, offering a competitive bout against a similarly progressing fighter that currently shares a similar ranking. If Erceg can continue to evolve and address his areas for growth, the future in the Flyweight Division looks promising and could potentially lead to a run toward the title.
