Steve Erceg stuns with one-punch KO, while Tyson Pedro announces his retirement
Australian fan favourite Tyson Pedro has announced his immediate retirement from the UFC, before explaining the deeply personal reasons behind his call to walk away.
A tearful Tyson Pedro says the extended time spent away from his wife and daughter is the main reason behind his decision to retire immediately from the UFC.
The 32-year-old light-heavyweight announced his decision in the Octagon moments after his decision defeat to Vitor Petrino in Las Vegas.
The bout was the last fight on his current contract, and after spending months at a time away from wife, Rosie, and daughter, Giselle to complete training camps in New Zealand, he said the time is right to step away.
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“It’s been on my mind a little bit lately, mainly just being away from my daughter,” he said.
“I’ve been away for probably 12 months in the past two-and-a-half years from my wife and baby, so that’s my choice. Going to New Zealand, that’s where I’m going to be the best martial artist.
“But put in all the costs, to my family, I probably just can’t do it anymore. With the deductions and the loss of the fight, I’ll probably have to rob someone in the carpark.
“I was in a real bad mood this whole camp. It really hit me being away from my daughter. I hated every ice bath, hated every session being away from her.”
Pedro could likely move straight into a role in the media, and has already made appearances on the ABC, and Fox Sports’ Fight Week show.
He didn’t rule out more fights on the local scenes, but has no regrets about his 6-5 UFC career.
“It’s more a family thing, I’ve got a change of dreams,” he said.
“If I’ve got that, I’d rather spend it with my daughter.
“I try not to complain too much. I get to do what I love. There are people out there sacrificing as much, but doing a shit job.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve got. I got to fight in front of big crowds and fight for the biggest company in the world.
“It’s all positives for me.”
One of Australia’s most popular UFC fighters, Pedro burst into the UFC with a stunning first round submission win over Khalil Rountreein Melbourne in November 2016.
His rise was halted by a serious knee injury suffered against Junior dos Santos in 2018. Recurring issues with the knee stole the best years of his career, keeping him out of the Octagon for nearly four years.
He returned with an emotional win over Ike Villanueva in 2022, and recorded his last victory with a stunning first round knockout of Anton Turkalji in Sydney at UFC 294 last year.
In a nice touch, Pedro had UFC icon James Te Huna in his corner for his loss to Petrino. Pedro had been in Te Huna’s corner for the Kiw-born Aussie’s last ever UFC fight in Brisbane in 2016.
‘I CAN F**KING STRIKE’: AUSSIE’S VICIOUS KO
The Steve Erceg hype is real, with the Aussie flyweight scoring a stunning one-punch knockout of Matt Schnell, which will see him leap up the 125-pound rankings.
Meanwhile, light-heavyweight fan favourite Tyson Pedro announced his retirement from fighting following a decision defeat to rising star Vitor Petrino at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Erceg, who is now a perfect 3-0 in the UFC, landed the perfect short left hook just 25 seconds into the second round, having cut Schnell badly early in the first.
The finishing punch sent Schnell collapsing backwards immediately, with Erceg stopping his celebrations to check on his opponent’s wellbeing.
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“So many people told me have no stand-up or head movement,” Erceg said afterwards. “I might not have proved that I don’t have head movement, but I can f**king strike.
“He’s coming pretty hard, his hands come down when he starts swinging. I just felt there was a home as he was striking me.
“I found it going to the body first, then came over the top.”
Speaking to this masthead just days before the fight, Erceg called out the division’s former champion Brandon Moreno, and he doubled down on that bold move after his first knockout win in the UFC.
“There’s a guy coming off two losses, Brandon Moreno, I’m coming for the top five,” he said. “Let’s do it in Australia or the PI, I don’t care.”
A Perth local, Erceg is more of an AFL fan, but said he’ll celebrate this win by heading to Allegiant Stadium to watch the NRL opener.
The 28-year-old could get the perfect homecoming later this year, with suggestions the UFC will hold a pay-per-view card in Perth in September.
What a left hand! 👊🼠#UFCVegas87https://t.co/pNInMZphqD
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) March 2, 2024
In the co-main event, Pedro couldn’t seem to get out of second gear in a unanimous decision defeat to rising light heavyweight star Petrino.
In the last fight of his current contract, Pedro was in the contest in the first round, but Petrino’s bulk and power gradually began to take over as the bout wore on.
Pedro announced his retirement in the cage after the fight, telling Daniel Cormier his dreams and motivations have changed.
“I want to thank the UFC for everything they’ve done on this journey,” the 32-year-old father of one said.
“Especially thanks to my team, and anyone who’s helped me get to this stage in my mixed martial arts career.
“It’s been amazing, but it’s always been my intention to show my daughter that as long as you work your ass off and ride towards what you love, you can do anything you can dream of, and I think my dreams have just changed at this point.
“That’s it for me with the UFC. Thank you to all the fans from the bottom of my heart. It’s not goodbye, just see ya later.
“Until then, thanks everyone.”
Pedro then removed his gloves and left them in the middle of the Octagon before embracing his father, John.
Tyson Pedro announced his retirement following a decade-long MMA career 👠#UFCVegas87pic.twitter.com/h2zHBIsvox
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 2, 2024
His retirement brings an end to the career one of Australia’s favourite fighters.
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Pedro burst onto the scene with a sensational win over Khalil Rountree in Melbourne in 2016, and all six of his UFC wins came in the first round.
His best years were ravaged by injury though, with recurring knee issues keeping him out of action for nearly four years.
The highlight of Pedro’s career is undoubtedly his brilliant first round knockout win over Anton Turkalji at UFC 294 in Sydney last year in front of a packed home crowd.
Originally published as Steve Erceg stuns with one-punch KO, while Tyson Pedro announces his retirement
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