Steve "Astro Boy" Erceg is an Australian MMA fighter with 12 wins, including three at the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and the rest on other Australian promotions. He has been fighting in the flyweight division (116 to 125 lbs.) since 2016, with a few bantamweight (126 to 135 lbs.) bouts in between.
Born on July 27, 1995, in Perth, Erceg was technically a WWE fan who got to know the UFC after Brock Lesner's UFC 81 in 2008. Since then, he has begun his MMA training and, after eight years, he made his debut at CDL promotion against Ryan Robertson, which he won via submission.
In September 2017, he fought against Sean Gauci in Hex Fight Series 11, which he lost through a unanimous decision, being the only fight he lost. He had a 9-1 record prior to his UFC debut, and he was scheduled to fight at Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and UFC Fight Night 223 in 2023, but was unable to do so due to visa issues. Then, Erceg was scheduled to fight at the UFC on ESPN 48 against Clayton Carpenter, but Carpenter pulled out due to an injury. Finally, he made his UFC debut, replacing Matt Schnell at UFC 289 in mid-2023 against David Dvorak, which he won via unanimous decision, earning his first Performance of the Night.
Erceg took on Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night 238, which he won via knockout, earning him his second Performance of the Night. Erceg, ranked No. 8 in the UFC flyweight rankings as of March 27, 2025, is scheduled to fight against Brandon Moreno on March 29, 2025 in Mexico.
Steve Erceg's Training Gym
Steve Erceg trains at Wilkes Martial Arts, BJJ & MMA Academy. He has also periodically trained BJJ with Sergio Penha at his jiu-jitsu academy in Las Vegas, Nevada, and lightweight star Beneil Dariush at Kings MMA in Anaheim, California.
Erceg also assists young children in preparing for careers in combat sports. After earning his black belt at Wilkes Martial Arts, Erceg made the decision to start training and so he trains there as well as instructs and oversees the younger students' training regimens at the Wilkes Martial Arts, BJJ & MMA Academy.
Steve Erceg's Coach
Steve Erceg’s head coach is David Wilkes, who is also the owner of Wilkes Martial Arts, BJJ & MMA Academy. Furthermore, he is a fifth-degree black belt BJJ practitioner, along with first-degree black belts in Muay Thai kickboxing and Karate.
FAQs on where Steve Erceg trains
A. Since 2008, Steve Erceg trains at the Wilkes Martial Arts, BJJ & MMA Academy.
A. Steve Erceg's head coach is David Wilkes, who owns the Wilkes Martial Arts, BJJ & MMA Academy.
A. Steve Erceg has a total of 12 wins as of March 27, 2025.
A. Steve Erceg made his UFC debut in June 2023 at UFC 289 against David Svorak, which he won through a unanimous decision.
A. Steve Erceg is scheduled to Brandon Moreno on March 29, 2025.
