Alexandre Pantoja (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

It hasn’t taken Steve Erceg long to secure a UFC title shot, as the promotion has announced that the rising flyweight will challenge champion Alexandre Pantoja next.

The 28-year-old Australian fighter has been tapped for the opportunity, following his second-round knockout of Matt Schnell on March 2nd. That win was Erceg’s (12-1) third straight with the UFC.

The Pantoja – Erceg matchup will headline UFC 301, which is taking place on May 4th in Rio de Janeiro.

The 33-year-old Pantoja (27-5) defended the flyweight title in December, by recording a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval at UFC 296. The Brazilian fighter won the title last July by working his way to a split decision win over Brandon Moreno.

Currently, Erceg is ranked #10 in the UFC’s flyweight division.