Australian fighter Steve Erceg has suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Mexican rival Brandon Moreno in their flyweight bout, the main event of the Fight Night card on Sunday AEDT.
The five-round contest at Mexico City’s Arena CDMX went the distance, but Erceg’s lack of volume proved costly.
Two-time flyweight champion Moreno, winless from his three previous fights in his home country, wobbled the 29-year-old with a heavy blow in the first round, controlling the remainder of the fight with a takedown in the final minute.
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It was Erceg’s third-straight defeat, having lost his previous bouts against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 (unanimous decision) and Kai Kara-France at UFC 305 (TKO punches) and put him further away from another shot at the title.
“I thought I landed pretty well, but obviously it wasn’t enough,” Erceg said after the bout.
“I’ll keep getting better, I’ll be back.”
Moreno now boasts 11 wins in the UFC, two less than the record, which is shared by Pantoja, Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez.
“I’ve gone through so much to be here, so much dedication and so much effort,” Moreno said via a translator.
“I know how hard it is for so many of you to get a ticket to be here, thank you so much. This is all for you.”
Erceg’s MMA record now reads 12-4.
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