Aussie Steve Erceg suffers third straight loss as mayhem breaks out in co-main in Mexico City

Steve Erceg faces a long road back to the top after another loss, as mayhem broke out in the co-main event in Mexico City.

Steve Erceg suffered his third straight loss. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Aussie flyweight Steve Erceg has fallen to a third straight UFC defeat, dropping a unanimous decision to Brandon Moreno in Mexico City.

Former two-time 125-pound champion Moreno landed the bigger shots in a closely fought contest in front of his home fans on the way to a victory with scores of 49-46 on all three cards.

For Perth’s Erceg, it’s his second frustrating decision loss to a current or former champion and his third defeat to the elite of the flyweight division.

In just his fourth fight in the UFC last year, Erceg lost a razor-thin world title fight decision to Alexandre Pantoja, an ill-advised fifth round takedown the difference between a bitter loss and an upset win.

VICTORY FOR THE ASSASSIN BABY 🇲🇽

Brandon Moreno battles for 5 rounds to get his first win on home soil! #UFCMexicopic.twitter.com/p1QzlYiEUq

— UFC (@ufc) March 30, 2025

He backed that up with a KO defeat to hard-hitting Kiwi Kai Kara-France, before this weekend’s five-round loss to Moreno.

It leaves the Aussie in a tricky spot.

He’s clearly good enough to mix it with the most elite flyweights on the planet, but hasn’t been able to land the knockout punch that propelled him into a shock world title bout 11 months ago.

Ranked eighth going into the Moreno bout, Erceg should stay in the top 15, but must now regroup and put together a string of wins before challenging a top five fighter again.

“Nothing surprised me, I thought I landed pretty well, but it wasn’t enough,” a gutted Erceg said.

“From what my corner, said, he had more volume.

“I’ll get better, I’ll get back.”

Erceg (R) reacts to the decision. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Erceg’s chin was tested in the opening round, rocked by a succession of big overhand rights.

The Perth fighter looked to counter strike early on, but couldn’t get close where he does his best striking work.

Erceg’s jab was his best weapon in the second, and he looked to time a knee as the Mexican crowd favourite threw his right hand.

Moreno’s corner called for more wrestling ahead of the third, but Erceg had found his range and timing as the pace remained high.

There was a near miss right at the end of the fourth round as Moreno threw a big left hand at Erceg’s head as the Aussie was on the ground a second after the siren to end the frame.

There were wild scenes in the lightweight co-main event, with Manuel Torres knocking out veteran Drew Dober in the first round.

MANUEL TORRES KNOCKS OUT DREW DOBER IN THE FIRST ROUND!!!!

DREW DOBER THOUGHT THE FIGHT WAS STILL ON #UFCMexicopic.twitter.com/wJYpvGqwAt

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 30, 2025

WHAT A KNOCKOUT 🤯 #UFCMexico

Manuel Torres stops Drew Dober in under two minutes! pic.twitter.com/RxzQzJMJYK

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 30, 2025

A big one-two sent Dober to the mat, with Torres unloading a barrage on the near-defenceless American, who was desperately clinging onto his ankle.

Referee Mike Beltran was eventually forced to stop the fight, but a confused Dober thought the fight was still going.

The 36-year-old was unsteady as he got back to his feet, and put his hands up to protect himself, unaware the bout had been called off.

As fight officials entered the Octagon, Dober was in shock, arguing about the stoppage when he realised he’d been knocked out.

“When he sees the replay and sees himself, he’ll know that’s a great stoppage,” said former light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in commentary.

Originally published as Aussie Steve Erceg suffers third straight loss as mayhem breaks out in co-main in Mexico City