Steve Erceg has never looked forward to a fight as much as Brandon Moreno.
Erceg (12-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) takes on former two-time flyweight champion Moreno (22-8-2 MMA, 10-5-2 UFC) March 29 in the UFC on ESPN 64 main event at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Moreno is a fight Erceg has always wanted. So much that he finds himself more excited to take on “The Assassin Baby” than he was when he challenged flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301.
He explains why.
“I’ve said it plenty of times: If I had a dream fight, it would be Moreno,” Erceg said on the MMArcade Podcast. “And it’s not just Moreno – it’s Moreno in Mexico. This couldn’t be a bigger event, so I’m very pumped. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited for a fight – even the title. I was obviously excited that I’m fighting for a title and stuff, but you always have those nerves. This fight, it was like, oh man. I don’t know what it is. I’m so pumped for it.
“My guess is because when I found out I was fighting Pantoja, I’d never fought five rounds. I didn’t know if I could hang at that level, different stuff you’re not sure about. Now, I’ve gone five rounds. I was able to hang with the champ. I know I got knocked out in my last fight, but that’s another big fight. I’m slowly accruing experience, and I’m pumped for this one.”
Erceg will look to snap a two-fight losing skid after a close decision loss to Pantoja, followed by a first-round TKO to Kai Kara-France. Moreno was able to rebound from back-to-back losses himself when he dominated Amir Albazi at UFC Fight Night 246.
“He’s an absolute animal,” Erceg said of Moreno. “He’s going to come forward. He’s going to bring the fight. He’s got good boxing. He can mix it up. He’s not amazing at jiu-jitsu and amazing at wrestling or anything like that. He is good there, but his biggest strength is his hands, his toughness, and I just think it’s going to be fun.
“Unlike Albazi, I’m not just going to stand there in front of him the same way. That’s where Moreno shines the best. Moreno’s boxing against Pantoja looked phenomenal, as well. It’s because Pantoja is getting in your face, whereas I manage range a little bit better. I think it’ll be a little bit harder for him to hit me.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Why Steve Erceg is more excited to fight Brandon Moreno over UFC title shot
