Erceg faces returning Temirov at UFC Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi

Steve Erceg will return to the octagon against Ramazonbek Temirov at UFC Fight Night 282 on July 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the promotion has confirmed.

Erceg (14-4) burst onto the UFC scene with three straight victories to earn a wild card title shot against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in 2024. The Australian came up short against Pantoja, and that defeat triggered a three-fight losing streak. He has since steadied himself with back-to-back wins over Ode Osbourne and Tim Elliott, and a bout against the unbeaten Temirov represents a significant step back toward title contention.

Temirov (19-3) arrives at the fight on an 11-bout unbeaten run stretching back to 2021. The Uzbek made an immediate impression in the UFC, stopping C.J. Vergara by first-round knockout on debut in 2024 before adding a decision victory over flyweight veteran Charles Johnson. His path to Abu Dhabi has not been entirely smooth, however: Temirov was suspended after testing positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine. He subsequently presented evidence that the substance had been medically prescribed, and he becomes eligible to compete again on July 5 — just three weeks before the scheduled bout.

The matchup pits a former title challenger looking to rebuild his ranking against one of the division’s most quietly dangerous unbeaten prospects. Erceg’s experience at the highest level of the flyweight division contrasts sharply with Temirov’s unblemished recent record, making the contest a credible indicator of where both men stand in a crowded 125-pound picture.