May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) fights against Steve Erceg (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

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Former Title Challenger Steve Erceg Gets New Opponent For August 9 Fight Card

UFC matchmakers set up former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg with #7 ranking fighter on the August 9 fight card!

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) fights against Steve Erceg (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

One knockout changes everything in the UFC. This is also true of the flyweight class, where everyone hits hard despite their smaller frames. Steve Erceg learned this lesson the hard way over the past year, watching his championship dreams crumble with each disappointing performance. The Australian went from challenging for UFC gold to desperately needing a win to save his career.

Just 13 months ago, Erceg was living every fighter’s dream when he stepped into the octagon against Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title. That feels like a lifetime ago now after three straight losses have completely derailed his momentum. The UFC has thrown him a lifeline in the form of Alex Perez, a veteran grappler who knows exactly what it feels like to have your back against the wall. Their August 9 showdown at the UFC Apex represents a crucial crossroads for both men: win and stay relevant, lose and potentially fade into obscurity.

Steve Erceg vs Alex Perez: What’s At Stake Here

Erceg’s (12-4) recent slide started with his title shot loss to Pantoja, which wasn’t entirely unexpected given the champion’s elite skills and experience. The real damage came in his next two fights when he suffered back-to-back defeats that exposed serious flaws in his game. Kai Kara-France knocked him out cold in the second round, sending Erceg crashing to the canvas.

The loss to Brandon Moreno might have been even worse than the knockout because Erceg barely showed up to fight. Instead of bringing his usual aggressive style, Erceg tried to outpoint the former champion with jabs and safe striking. The Australian revealed that he kept worrying about getting knocked out again, which prevented him from taking the necessary risks to win rounds.

Astroboy is back!

Perth's Steve Erceg is set to face #7 Alex Perez this August! #UFCVegas109 pic.twitter.com/ktpOdMa8jq
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) June 1, 2025

Alex Perez (25-9) brings his own set of challenges and motivations to this August matchup. The veteran wrestler has experienced his own ups and downs in the flyweight division, including a title shot against Deiveson Figueiredo that ended in submission defeat. His wrestling background and striking improvements make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.

The timing couldn’t be better for Erceg to face someone like Perez instead of another elite contender. While Perez remains dangerous and experienced, he doesn’t carry the same intimidation factor as champions like Pantoja or knockout artists like Kara-France. Both fighters understand that this August clash represents more than just another bout on their records. For Erceg, it’s about proving he still belongs among the flyweight elite and hasn’t completely lost the skills that earned him a title shot. For Perez, it’s another chance to show he can hang with rising contenders and work his way back toward championship opportunities.

(Image Credit: Jason Silva – Imagn Images)

Alex Perez

Steve Erceg

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Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!