Steve Erceg is the surprise winner of the Alexandre Pantoja sweepstakes.
UFC announced Friday that Erceg — not Muhammad Mokaev, Brandon Royval, or any of the other usual flyweight suspects — will be the one challenging Pantoja for a UFC belt on May 4 when the promotion returns to Rio de Janeiro for UFC 301. The announcement comes just three bouts into Erceg’s octagon career, fresh off a March win over Matt Schnell, and ignited plenty of reaction from the mild-mannered 27-year-old’s fellow fighters.
Check out reaction to the announcement below, including an incredulous response from Mokaev, who had been vocally campaigning for the spot.
Tf UFC just done?
I have second active winning streak in MMA flyweight history!InshaAllah I will take this belt soon!
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
never picked opponents , never pulled out from the fights even tho when I wasn’t healthy
Never missed weightI will be champion ! You motivated me a lot @Mickmaynard2 thank u
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
I have more finishes in the UFC than Ercegs fights mate
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Give me Royval in Manchester I gonna maul him , you wanna see finish?
Give me this fight! I will finish him— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Pantoja literately cleaned the division even before being champion!!!! Erceg got the gold ticket because of it!!!! That been said pantoja by finish #ufc301
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) March 15, 2024
Another Aussie is coming for the strap!!
Huge step up for Astroboy here in just his 4th fight in the promotion – does he have the tools to shut down Pantoja, though? https://t.co/WJtsWNjBTx
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) March 15, 2024
UFC giving Erceg a title fight after two fights in the promotion is brutal to the division. So many guys working their way up and with longer active win streaks / finishes.
My only guess I’m assuming Pantoja asked for him . Not saying he can’t win.. but what are rankings for? pic.twitter.com/12DRRy243w
— Charles “InnerG” Johnson (@InnerGmma) March 15, 2024
You know what I don’t side with @muhammadmokaev often but he should of been next in line IMO
— Jake ‘White Kong’ Hadley (@JakeHadleyMMA) March 15, 2024
Erceg looked good his last fight. I’ll be on weight ready to step in if anything happens. If not I’m sitting front row watching my teammates and next fight square off. https://t.co/LA5wcltRHA
— Brandon (@brandonroyval) March 15, 2024
