Steve Erceg Bio
Stephen Vincenzo Erceg (born July 27, 1995) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Widely known by the ring name “Astro Boy,” he has built a strong reputation through a combination of grappling, striking, and wrestling ability. As of November 18, 2025, Erceg is ranked number 10 in the UFC flyweight rankings.
Erceg is a member of Wilkes MMA and has been active in professional competition since 2016. His career includes championship opportunities, performance bonuses, and a well-rounded skill set developed through training in muay thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and freestyle wrestling.
Early Life and Background
Stephen Vincenzo Erceg was born in Perth, Western Australia, into a family of Croatian and Italian descent. He grew up in the same city where he continues to live and train, establishing his roots in the local combat sports community from a young age.
He attended Corpus Christi College during his upbringing and grew up as a self-described “big WWE fan.” His early interest in professional wrestling introduced him to mixed martial arts when he watched Brock Lesnar compete against Frank Mir at UFC 81, an event that inspired him to begin training at a local gym.
Alongside MMA, Erceg explored muay thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, both of which became foundational disciplines in his development. He also achieved success in amateur wrestling, winning a gold medal in the 65 kg division at the Australian national freestyle wrestling championships.
Path to MMA
Erceg began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2016, competing in regional Australian promotions. His early career took place primarily in organizations such as Hex Fighting Series and Eternal MMA, where he quickly established himself as a rising talent in the flyweight division.
During this developmental period, Erceg captured the Eternal MMA flyweight title and built an impressive 9-1 record. His combination of finishing ability and well-rounded skill set caught the attention of UFC scouts, leading to an opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.
Although visa issues twice delayed his entry into the UFC, Erceg remained focused on his development and continued competing at a high level in Australia. His perseverance ultimately paid off when he signed with the UFC and made his promotional debut in 2023.
Steve Erceg Career
Early Career (2016-2022)
Erceg launched his professional career in 2016, fighting across Australian regional promotions. His early bouts showcased a finishing instinct, with multiple submission victories helping him gain recognition on the domestic scene. He developed his skills while training at Wilkes MMA, the team he continues to represent.
By the time he was scheduled for Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Erceg had compiled a strong 9-1 record, including the Eternal MMA flyweight championship. Although visa complications prevented him from appearing on the show, his performances in Australia had already made him a prospect worth watching for the UFC.
UFC Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Erceg finally made his UFC debut on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289, where he stepped in as a replacement for Matt Schnell against David Dvořák. In an upset victory, he won the bout via unanimous decision and earned his first Performance of the Night bonus award. He followed that with another unanimous decision win over Alessandro Costa at UFC 295 in November 2023.
In 2024, Erceg secured a signature second-round knockout of Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night 238, earning another Performance of the Night award. The win propelled him into title contention and set up a championship opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 in May 2024, where he challenged for the UFC Flyweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision.
Later in 2024, Erceg faced Kai Kara-France at UFC 305 in August, suffering a first-round technical knockout loss. Despite the setback, he remained a ranked contender in the flyweight division heading into the next year.
Wilkes MMA Era (2023-Present)
Throughout his UFC tenure, Erceg has continued to train out of Wilkes MMA in Perth, Western Australia. The team has been central to his growth as a mixed martial artist, providing a stable foundation for his training and preparation.
In 2025, Erceg was rescheduled to face Asu Almabayev at UFC Fight Night 253 but was moved to the main event of UFC on ESPN 64 against former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno on April 5, 2025. He lost that bout by unanimous decision, then bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Ode’ Osbourne at UFC on ESPN 72 on August 9, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Erceg’s UFC debut upset of David Dvořák at UFC 289 marked his arrival on the international stage. His second-round knockout of Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night 238 stands as one of his most memorable finishes. He has also earned multiple Performance of the Night bonus awards and challenged for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 301.
Steve Erceg Career Wins
Stephen Vincenzo Erceg has compiled a strong professional record through a mix of submissions, knockouts, and decisions. His finishing ability has been a defining feature of his career, with multiple victories coming inside the distance.
UFC Highlights
Erceg’s UFC career began with a unanimous decision upset of David Dvořák at UFC 289 in June 2023, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. He added a second consecutive decision win over Alessandro Costa at UFC 295 in November 2023, before securing his first UFC knockout against Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night 238 in March 2024, another Performance of the Night performance. In 2025, he returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Ode’ Osbourne at UFC on ESPN 72.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Erceg captured the Eternal MMA flyweight title and built a 9-1 record on the Australian regional circuit. His early career featured multiple submission finishes, helping establish his reputation as a dangerous grappler before transitioning to the international stage.
Steve Erceg Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Erceg was raised in Perth, Western Australia, in a family of Croatian and Italian descent. His cultural heritage remains part of his personal identity, though he is known primarily for his individual achievements in combat sports.
Personal Life
Erceg continues to reside in Perth, Western Australia, where he trains with Wilkes MMA. His ring name “Astroboy” originated from his resemblance to the Japanese manga character during his younger years, a nickname that has followed him throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Stephen Vincenzo Erceg’s 2025 campaign began with a high-profile main event opportunity against former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno at UFC on ESPN 64 on April 5, 2025. Despite a strong effort, he lost the bout by unanimous decision, a setback that interrupted his push back toward title contention.
Erceg rebounded later in the year at UFC on ESPN 72 on August 9, 2025, where he faced Ode’ Osbourne in a rescheduled bantamweight bout. He won the fight via unanimous decision, regaining momentum and reaffirming his place among the ranked flyweights in the UFC.
Heading into the close of 2025, Erceg sits at number 10 in the UFC flyweight rankings, with his training base at Wilkes MMA continuing to support his development. His combination of regional titles, UFC performance bonuses, and championship experience positions him as a notable contender in the division for the seasons ahead.