Steve Erceg and Muhammad Mokaev are not on good terms and won’t be exchanging holiday cards anytime soon. Erceg was surprised when Mokaev was released from the UFC, especially considering his undefeated record. However, Erceg was unimpressed with Mokaev’s behavior and attitude, leading to a negative opinion of him.
Their animosity escalated when Mokaev reached out to Erceg after his loss to Kai Kara-France, which Erceg found insincere. Additionally, Erceg criticized Mokaev for his actions outside the Octagon, particularly a street fight with Manel Kape that ended with a sucker punch.
Despite Mokaev’s hopes of returning to the UFC, Erceg remains uninterested in reconciling. He expressed a desire to fight Mokaev and is prepared for any confrontation that may arise between them.
Erceg is currently focused on his upcoming main event fight against Brandon Moreno in UFC Mexico City. He reflects on his journey to the top of the division and remains humble and grateful for the opportunities he has been given. A win in this fight would be significant for both fighters given the competitive nature of the division.
Pantoja has proven himself against almost every top-ranked opponent, setting the stage for a potential rematch with either fighter vying for a title shot.
Erceg is ready to face whatever challenges come his way, including his upcoming fight with Moreno.
“I usually feel nervous when I receive a fight offer, but this time I was just excited,” Erceg said. “Fighting in Mexico against Brandon Moreno feels like a dream come true.”
“I was definitely surprised to be matched up against him. I was expecting someone lower ranked, so it was a pleasant shock,” he added.