There’s a type of calm that comes with confidence, not arrogance, not showmanship, just the quiet certainty of someone who’s done the work. That’s Astroboy right now.
As he prepares to face Brandon Moreno in Mexico City, in a hostile main event setting 7,000 feet above sea level, Erceg isn’t pretending the challenge isn’t real. He’s embracing every part of it.
Saturday's main event face-off in front of the Angel of Independence in Mexico City.Source: UFC Press
“I get to be fighting somebody people call a UFC legend, in his home city,” Erceg told Australian MMA during our exclusive chat. “So, I can’t wait.”
For most fighters, the circumstances surrounding this fight, back-to-back losses, foreign soil, high altitude, a roaring 20,000-strong crowd, would feel like an uphill battle not worth the consequences. For Erceg, it’s the kind of challenge he lives for.
“In a weird way, I’m so excited,” he said. “Fighting a guy like Brandon, in Mexico? I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity.”
Moreno was Mexico's first ever champion.
Source: UFC.com
It’s been a sharp rise through the UFC ranks for the Perth native. After debuting in 2023, Erceg rattled off three straight wins before stepping into a five-round title fight against champion Alexandre Pantoja. So, what lessons does he carry from that experience?
“I mean, that’s one of the best guys in the world,” he said. “Honestly, I think the biggest thing I took from it was just going five rounds. But this is a completely different fight. I think the pace will be a lot higher, so I’m taking it almost with a grain of salt and treating this as a fresh experience.”
A polarising image highlighting the highs and lows of MMA.Source: The Sporting Tribune
He followed that up with another huge moment, a home crowd co-main event in Perth against Kai Kara-France. It didn’t end the way he wanted, but he isn’t hiding from it.
“It was an awesome experience. Obviously didn’t go my way, but I always knew you could get caught. I was having a great time... until I wasn’t.”
Where most would take a step back, Erceg doubled down, jumping straight into a main event against a former champion, in enemy territory, in one of the toughest environments the UFC can offer.
“Some guys, after two losses, want an easier fight. I asked for the opposite,” he said. “I want to fight the toughest guys on the planet. That’s the whole point of this.”
Erceg putting in the work at his home gym, Wilkes Martial Arts.
Source: Instagram | @shotweiler_photography and @steveerceg
At media day, that same mentality came through again, this time with a slightly more reflective tone.
“You don’t expect your UFC run to go like this,” he admitted. “You think six or seven fights before you get into the title mix. But I got thrown into the deep end. And honestly, it’s been amazing. Life is about experiences, and I’ve had some pretty incredible ones already.”
This fight, a five-round main event in enemy territory, has the potential to be the defining moment of his career. Erceg knows it. But he’s not flustered. He’s settled. He’s been in Mexico for nearly a month, training out of the UFC Performance Institute and adjusting to the altitude with clear intent.
“The city’s been great. The training’s been great,” he said. “We’ve been here for almost four weeks now. Went to the PI, did some training with the Academy guys, it was a great experience. The altitude got me when I first arrived, just walking up and down stairs, but I feel fully acclimated now.”
And while he’s trained at the UFC PI in Las Vegas before, he said the vibe in Mexico is a whole different world.
Erceg training at UFC's Mexico City Performance Institute.Source: Instagram | @moi.ramirez.fotografo and @steveerceg
“The Vegas PI is mainly UFC athletes in and out,” Erceg explained. “It’s very individual, very clinical. But in Mexico, there’s more of a team feel. You’ve got the Academy guys, the coaches, they’re all around each other all day. It feels more like a gym environment, like a real team atmosphere.”
It was a subtle difference, but one he clearly appreciated.
“Both are great in their own way,” he said, “but I loved the energy in Mexico. You feel like you’re part of something.”
Erceg checked in at Media Day yesterday.Source: Instagram | @ufcanz
The matchup itself is just as compelling as the setting. Moreno is emotional, unpredictable, and relentlessly durable. Erceg is measured, technical, and multi-dimensional. While fans might expect a stand-up war, Erceg’s prepared for it to play out in any range.
“Moreno’s got that dog mentality, he gets hit and wants to hit you back twice straight away,” Erceg said. “I think that’s where he leaves himself most open. If I can draw that response, I think I can land clean and find my edge.”
Moreno's dog mentality was on full display against Pantoja.Source: The Sun
Although his boxing has become a standout strength since entering the UFC, Erceg hasn’t forgotten the foundation that got him here. Nearly half of his professional wins have come by submission.
“If I can get on top and solidify the position, I think I’m better than he is off his back,” he said. “But the hard part is getting that initial stagnation. He scrambles well. I’ll take the opportunity if it’s there, but I won’t force it.”
Technically, Erceg is composed as always, looking to control the pace, punish the openings, and avoid unnecessary risk. Mentally, his clarity is even sharper. He knows what this fight represents, not just for rankings, but for legacy.
Erceg possesses a lethal ground game, with six submission victories in his career.Source: Eternal MMA
“When I look back in 40 years, and my kids ask, ‘You fought Brandon Moreno?’ I’ll be able to say, ‘Yeah, and I did pretty well too.’ That’s the coolest part.”
When it comes to the title picture, Erceg is grounded. He’s not waiting for the perfect opportunity to land in his lap, and he doesn’t plan on sitting idle.
“I feel like when I win on Saturday night, I’m one or two away,” he said. “I think Kai Kara-France is probably next, maybe Royval and Kape fight each other. I just don’t want to be on the shelf. I want one more fight before the year’s out, maybe even two.”
Erceg believes Kape is near the front of the line for a title shot.Source: UFC.com
He’s never been one to buy into superstition or storylines, but there’s something worth noting, Brandon Moreno has never won a UFC fight on home soil in three attempts. Two losses and a draw. A curse? Maybe. Maybe not.
“I don’t believe in curses or anything like that,” Erceg said. “He’s just fought good guys. But I know I’m here to make it five hard rounds. That’s what I’m preparing for.”
Erceg hopes to get his hand raised again on Saturday evening.
Source: UFC.com
Once the cage door shuts, the noise fades. The altitude, the chants, the pressure, all of it disappears. What’s left is a fight between two of the world’s best flyweights.
“When the cage shuts, it’s just me and Brandon,” he said. “Everything else fades away. I want to win badly, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to get there.”
This isn’t about proving people wrong. It’s about proving something real to himself, a chance to test himself again at the highest level, in a lion’s den few would choose to walk into, and walk out with his hand raised. He’s not here to survive the moment. He’s here to own it.
And when it’s over, maybe then he can finally take it all in. The altitude, the atmosphere, the culture. He’s yet to try the local food, something he’s held off for discipline’s sake, but there’ll be tacos waiting after the fight. He wants to experience Lucha Libre before he leaves, after putting on a show of his own. A small reward, maybe, for doing what so few are willing to do.
First, though, there’s work to be done.
