The UFC Vegas 87 only gets better. After some exciting performances in the preliminary card, Matt Schnell and Steve Erceg put on slugfest to kick off the main card. The UFC Flyweights went back and forth in a fight that ended with a brutal one-punch KO.
Matt Schnell had no answers against Steve Erceg, who landed heavy shots on the UFC fighters to start the first round. A violent exchange ensued, which saw both fighters land some clean, heavy blows at each other.
ONE AND DONE 😮💨
Steve Erceg kicks off this #UFCVegas87 main card with a second round KO! pic.twitter.com/Ac1uYVprnu
— UFC (@ufc) March 2, 2024
The wild exchange even forced Erceg to attempt a takedown with just 30 seconds left in the first round. However, he was unsuccessful. Be that as it may, he ended the round on a high, landing a 1-2 combination to win the round convincingly despite taking some damage.
A straight, left hook took down Schnell in the opening seconds of the second round, dropping him cold on the canvas to start the UFC Vegas 87 main card with a POTY-worthy performance.
Check out some fan reactions below.
What is in the Vegas water tonight?! 🤯 Steve Erceg with the walk-off KO against Matt Schnell at #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/IoY5JWJ7pP
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) March 2, 2024
Steve Erceg X Matt Schnell 👀#UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/ixlinbXzxC
— SpecialHead 💚💪👊 (@UFCSpecialHead) March 2, 2024
Steve Erceg knocks out Matt Schnell! #UFCVegas87
pic.twitter.com/fZyeBDVHQ6— rich 🎯 (@bigcocklockzz) March 2, 2024
Matt Schnell KO’d pic.twitter.com/dRWASCEB1B
— Derek Langston (@Derek_Langston) March 2, 2024
STEVE ERCEG JUST SMOKEDDDDD MATT SCHNELL OH MY GOODNESS
— TevTalksMMA (@TevTalksMMA) March 2, 2024
With the victory, he picked up his 11th straight win of his MMA career. He is now 11-1 in his MMA career. The win also marks his first stoppage loss inside the UFC Octagon, marking his third successive victory in the promotion.
What’s next for Steve Erceg?
Soon after the fight, Erceg wasted no time in calling out Brandon Moreno next. The 28-year-old Australian fighter will find himself in the top 10 of the UFC Flyweight rankings next week following the victory.
3 fights 3 wins for Steve Erceg in the UFC! #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/2oVTWxRPgP
— UFC (@ufc) March 2, 2024
While a fight against Brandon Moreno is unlikely, Erceg could find himself against a more notable name next. A possible match-up against Manel Kape or Kai Kara-France also makes sense for the Australian fighter, who will be sitting in the 9th spot in the official UFC rankings.
