One-time flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg got a much needed win at UFC Vegas 109.
The Aussie fan favorite squared off against Ode Osbourne in the co-main event on Saturday night.
Steve Erceg‘s three-fight losing skid meant he was fighting to save his MMA career at UFC Vegas 109.
After an early scare, he rallied to score a much-needed unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) victory.
Steve Erceg returns to winning ways
It was a tough first frame for Erceg, who did well to stay in the fight after being dropped by a check right hook.
Osbourne flurried for the finish but failed to close the show, finishing the round with Erceg on his back, hunting for a comeback submission victory.
The second stanza was much closer. Erceg mixed in his striking with takedown attempts to work his way back into the fight during a round that could’ve gone either way.
There was no doubt about who won round three. Erceg got the takedown and dominated his opponent on the floor.
Despite threatening with submissions, he needed some help from the judges to beat the unranked Osbourne.
Steve Erceg’s losing streak
Erceg’s UFC career began with three straight wins that earned him an unexpected flyweight title shot.
Since then, he’s fallen to defeats against Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Kara-France, and Brandon Moreno.
During a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Erceg called his recent losses a ‘dream come true’, despite admitting his UFC future may be on the line against Osbourne.
“The positives are, I got to fight everybody’s dream fights like straight away,” he said.
“It’s a dream come true. And the negatives are I lost, but I don’t think you can base everything on wins and losses. I’ve got to have some pretty cool experiences and live some pretty cool things and learn a lot about myself.
“I mean I’ve fought in more co-main events and main events than I have any other spot on the card,which is nuts to think about so I definitely feel blessed more than anything.”