UFC 295: Stephen Erceg says he has no interest in waiting for Matt Schnell ahead of Madison Square Garden bout

Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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Camera IconThe man known as Astro Boy may have just rocketed his career straight to the moon with West Australian flyweight Stephen Erceg beating David Dvorak on UFC debut. Credit: DARRYL DYCK/AP

West Australian fighter Stephen Erceg has taken a parting shot at fellow flyweight Matt Schnell after the American pulled out of their bout at UFC 295 this weekend.

Erceg (10-1) will instead step into the Octagon to face unranked Alessandro Costa after Schnell withdrew from the bout late last month for undisclosed reasons.

It is the second-consecutive fight that the No.9 ranked Schnell has pulled out of this year, having also not fought David Dvorak in June, with Erceg stepping in instead to make his UFC debut.

Erceg had hoped a win over Schnell would boost him from the No.14 ranked flyweight to into the top 10 as he pursues a future title shot.

Camera IconDavid Dvorak, front, and Steve Erceg fight in June. Credit: DARRYL DYCK/AP
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Instead, Erceg will now turn his attention to another opponent in the top-10 instead of waiting for Schnell to be ready.

“That’s two in a row. I want to fight guys who can make it to the fight,” Erceg told The West Australian.

“I don’t want to put a camp in and risk not fighting at all.

“I’m still looking ahead in the rankings, but I’d like to fight someone who has a better history.”

For now, Erceg will concentrate on beating Costa (13-3) at Madison Square Garden on Sunday where they will headline the prelims.

“He’s a good fighter. He has good jiujitsu, good takedown defence and is a powerful striker,” Erceg said.

Camera IconPerth MMA fighter Stephen Erceg wants to force a finish Credit: AAP

“At the start of the fight he will be going backwards, trying to counterstrike and then as he gets frustrated, he’s going to try to catch up and come forward. I’m looking to touch him early and then invite him to make a mistake and switch him off.

“I don’t think it’s going to come in the first 30 seconds or anything like that, but I think I can make him make mistakes, exploit the things he’s doing, and I do think I can finish him.

“I’m trying to finish everybody I fight. It doesn’t feel the same if you don’t finish it. It feels unfinished.”

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