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In a whirlwind series of opponent changes that would test any fighter’s mental fortitude, Australian flyweight contender Steve Erceg’s perseverance has finally been rewarded, at least for now. After two previous opponents fell through, Erceg is set to square off against Ode Osbourne at bantamweight (135 lbs) at UFC Vegas 109 on August 9, barring any further disruptions.
HS.Park out. Steve Erceg will now fight Ode' Osbourne at #UFCVegas109 on August 9th. (first rep. @Bendaman2001) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025
Got told fight will be at 135 lbs. pic.twitter.com/5ozK70OUhb
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) July 28, 2025
The Opponent Shuffle: Erceg-Osbourne Ready to Lock In
The saga began with Erceg originally scheduled to face former title challenger Alex Perez in what would have been a pivotal flyweight bout. That plan was disrupted when Perez withdrew due to injury, leaving Erceg’s training camp in limbo. Looking to salvage the matchup, UFC paired Erceg with surging South Korean talent Hyun Sung Park. Not long after, the organizational dominoes fell again, Park was pulled from UFC Vegas 109 and instead promoted to the main event of this weekend’s UFC Vegas 108 against Tatsuro Taira. The late-notice change reshuffles not just Erceg’s calendar, but also his weight class, as the new booking with Osbourne will take place at bantamweight rather than flyweight.
A.Albazi out. Tatsuro Taira will now fight HyunSung Park at #UFCVegas108 on August 2nd. (per UFC Officials) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 #MainEvent pic.twitter.com/ICs8qsHTUs
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) July 28, 2025
For Steve Erceg, this run epitomizes the volatility of life in MMA. The former UFC flyweight title challenger is no stranger to high-stakes turbulence. Coming off three consecutive losses to elite foes—Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France, and Alexandre Pantoja—Erceg is under pressure to return to the win column and re-establish himself as a top contender. The circumstances leading up to UFC Vegas 109 have not made that task easier. After meticulously preparing for the wrestling-heavy, disciplined Perez, then recalibrating game plans for the rangy, high-volume Park, Erceg must now adapt a third time. Ode Osbourne presents a unique, very different challenge: explosive athleticism and unpredictable striking—known for highlight-reel knockouts as much as for patchy grappling defense.
For Ode Osbourne, the opportunity is clear. Having alternated wins and losses in recent years and bouncing between flyweight and bantamweight, the Jamaican-born American enters this fight looking to string together consistency. Osbourne is coming off a second-round TKO victory over Luis Gurule but knows the clock is ticking to establish himself as a genuine threat in one of UFC’s most volatile weight classes. With a penchant for fast starts and all-action fights, Osbourne can secure the biggest win of his career with a decisive showing against a former title challenger.
There’s irony for fans and fighters alike: Erceg now faces his third opponent in the span of just a few weeks, and none of his recent training camps have likely been tailored specifically to the style Osbourne brings. In addition, this bout will be contested at 135 lbs—ten pounds above their usual flyweight limit, erasing any harsh weight cut advantages and adding a new wrinkle to each man’s preparation. Historically, last-minute replacement bouts can produce dramatic upsets, wild finishes, and renewed career trajectories, or derailments.
Confirmed UFC Vegas 109 Fight Card
While fight cards are always subject to late adjustments, the following bouts are confirmed for UFC Vegas 109:
Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+ 9 PM ET/6 PM PT)
- Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez
- Eryk Anders vs. Christian Leroy Duncan
- Angela Hill vs. Iasmin Lucindo
- Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Joselyne Edwards
- Ode Osbourne vs. Steve Erceg
Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+ 6 PM ET/3 PM PT)
- Julius Walker vs. Raffael Cerqueira
- Gabriella Fernandes vs. Julija Stoliarenko
- Miles Johns vs. Jean Matsumoto
- Elijah Smith vs. Toshiomi Kazama
- Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez
What’s at Stake?
For Erceg, a victory is more than career salvation—it’s a signal to the UFC brass and to the division that he’s still a contender determined to fight anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances. For Osbourne, it’s a shot to break his start-and-stop pattern with momentum against a legitimate name. Both men have much to lose and even more to gain. And with the unpredictability that has marked this camp for Erceg, fans should expect the unexpected at the UFC Apex on August 9.
