Steve Erceg says a renewed mental approach will accompany him into his main-card bout with Tim Elliott at UFC Fight Night 275, set for RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Erceg, who recently snapped a three-fight skid in August, has been working with a sports psychologist to better manage his nerves ahead of Elliott. He explained how his self-talk has become a key focus before stepping into the Octagon.
"I think part of it is, honestly, what you say makes a big difference," Erceg said. "When I think about the fight and say, 'Oh, I'm nervous.' Then, all of a sudden, I'm going to become more nervous. If I say, 'I'm excited,' all of a sudden I'll become more excited. What you speak and what you say translates into actions. Rather than thinking, 'Oh, Tim Elliott's good.' I'm thinking, 'Oh, I'm a bad man. He has to fight me.'"
The flyweight added that introspection and professional help have left him feeling calmer than in past outings. "Yeah, for sure I've been talking to a sports psych as well, and that's been helping. ... The nerves still come and go, but I'm a lot more relaxed. I'm more relaxed, for sure."
Erceg does not believe a win over Elliott will immediately thrust him into title contention. "... I think that it's very unlikely to be in the title mix immediately (with a win)." Instead, he said he is focused on "good performances and stacking them up" to "leave no doubt" he belongs there again.
Erceg enters the fight with a 13-4 MMA record and a 4-3 UFC mark, while Elliott holds a 21-13-1 MMA record and a 10-11 UFC record.
