Aussie UFC star Steve Erceg punches folks within the face for a residing – however he has a heartwarming motive for refusing to swear at his opponents

UFC star Steve Erceg needs to turn into one of many hardest dudes who has ever lived, and he is decided to do it within the nicest of how – which suggests no swearing in or out of the Octagon.

The Perth fighter will begin because the underdog when he takes on former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in Mexico Metropolis on Sunday morning (AEDT).

The battle looms as a serious fork-in-the-road second for 29-year-old Erceg, who got here near snaring the belt off present champion Alexandre Pantoja final 12 months, however is now on a two-fight dropping streak.

Moreno (22-8-2) sits at No.3 within the flyweight rankings, and a win for Erceg (12-3) would convey the West Australian one step nearer in the direction of touchdown one other shot on the belt.

However for Erceg, it is his repute that issues probably the most.

‘I do not essentially suppose a win places me again in line for a title right away,’ Erceg mentioned.

‘There’s a number of extra guys I would must battle and beat earlier than that.

‘However so far as what it does in my life – the best way I will look again on it in 40 years – it is a huge battle.

‘I’ve fought nothing however the baddest dudes on the planet, and I’ve all the time needed to show that I am one of many hardest dudes to ever reside.

‘That is one step nearer to me proving that.’

Erceg is quick constructing a repute for his toughness.

One other facet that’s resonating with followers is his respect for his opponents and real niceness – traits that do not essentially go hand in hand with UFC fighters.

‘I have been educating martial arts for a very long time, particularly the youngsters program, and it is laborious to show them respect and humility if I am going on the market and antagonising everybody and calling all of them these nasty phrases,’ Erceg mentioned.

‘I did lose my thoughts after one battle and began swearing and all that stuff.

‘And actually each single particular person in my household after I known as them, somewhat than congratulating me on the battle, they advised me I used to be being an fool and I ought to lay off the swear phrases.

‘That was a reasonably good lesson.’

Erceg’s respect has stretched into his battle with Moreno.

‘I mentioned to his face that it’s so bizarre having watched you on TV for thus a few years and now I am standing in entrance of you,’ Erceg mentioned.

‘It’s totally surreal. Bizarre, cool.’

Erceg’s star has been rising steadily in Australia over the previous two years, and it appears his following in Mexico is taking pictures by way of the roof as nicely.

‘Surprisingly I’ve had extra pictures within the final two weeks than I often would at house,’ Erceg mentioned with amusing.

‘The one which took me again probably the most was a man who was on his bike driving on a major highway – he pulled over and got here to get a fast picture. That was cool.’

Mexico Metropolis sits 2240m above sea degree, and Erceg arrived there 4 weeks in the past with a view to higher acclimatise to the altitude.