Stephen Erceg Debut Now Set for UFC 289 vs David Dvorak after Schnell Pulls Out
Stephen Erceg’s UFC debut is changed once again as he is now set to face David Dvorak on the prelims card of UFC 289 PPV.
Erceg was earlier supposed to face Clayton Carpenter at UFC Vegas 73 on May 20. However, some visa issues led to his bout being cancelled. The bout was rescheduled for July 1 Fight Night event, but Carpenter withdrew from the fight due to an injury.
Matt Schnell was set to take on David Dvorak in a flyweight bout at UFC 289 PPV in the featured bout on the prelims card. However, Schnell seems to have picked up an injury and had to withdrew from the event. Christopher Reive of New Zealand Herald Sports has reported that Erceg will replace Schnell at the event.
Just in for you Aussie MMA fans, Stephen Erceg will be making his UFC debut at UFC 289 in Canada against David Dvorak.
— Christopher Reive (@ChrisReive) June 1, 2023
Dvorak was initially scheduled to fight Matt Schnell on this card but Schnell withdrew due to injury.
Australia’s Stephen Erceg replaces Schnell with just 9 days left in the event. Erceg has only fought in Australia’s regional circuit thus far with appearances for Eternal MMA and Hex Fight promotion. He is currently on an 8-fights winning streak. 6 out of his 9 wins have come via submission.
Erceg became Eternal Flyweight Champion in March 2020 beating Shannon Ross. Ross also made his UFC debut earlier this year at UFC 284 card.
David Dvorak has lost his last two fights against Manuel Kape and Matheus Nicolau. He started his UFC career with 3 wins in a row. His last win came against Juancamilo Ronderos via first-round submission in May 2021.
UFC 289 is set to take place on June 9, 2023. Women’s Bantmaweight Championship fight between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana is the main event along with Charles Oliveira vs Beniel Dariush as the co-main event.
