The 30-year-old Aussie started his UFC career red-hot, but entered this bout with his back against the wall after losses to elite Flyweight contenders. Facing a short-notice opponent in Osbourne, Erceg had to dig deep, surviving a massive punch in the first round that rocked him badly.
“Astroboy” admitted that there was immense pressure, and he even questioned himself during his skid.
“It’s been a while [since I’ve won], so it’s good to be answering questions again after the fight,” Erceg told MMAMania.com after his win. “Obviously, you have doubts running through your head like, ‘Was I a fraud all along? Do I really belong? Do I deserve to be here?’ – all of that nonsense. It’s good to fight a tough guy in the UFC who has been here for ages and get a tough win.”
Erceg’s raw honesty is a refreshing glimpse into the mind of a fighter rebounding from adversity.
With this win in the books, Erceg is eyeing a quick turnaround for UFC Perth in six weeks, a homecoming fight in his native Australia, where he lives and trains.
“I think [I can turn around],” Erceg said. “You never know, but I think I can at the moment for sure. That’s the plan.”
Barring a lengthy medical suspension from the damage dealt by Osbourne, expect “Astroboy” to return at UFC Perth—perhaps in a rebooked clash with Alex Perez.
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