Aussie Steve Erceg saves UFC career with first victory in 17 months
Erceg entered the bout on Saturday night (Sunday AEST) on a three-fight losing streak and in desperate need of a win in order to keep his UFC contract.
Things looked grim in the first round when Osbourne's explosive speed resulted in Erceg copping a series of big blows.
Erceg's legs turned to jelly late in the round after one particularly big hit, but he was able to grapple his way out of trouble until the hooter sounded.
Knowing he didn't have the speed to match his opponent, Erceg opted to grapple as much as he could over the next two rounds.
By the end of the third and final round, Erceg was seated on top of his opponent while unleashing a series of devastating blows.
The final hooter saved Osbourne from a knockout, but all three judges awarded the fight to Erceg 29-28.
Erceg was a relieved man after being awarded the win, and gave an insight into what he was thinking during his opening-round beating.
'All I was thinking was, 'man, you're tough as, people get dropped all the time',' Erceg said.
'It's about how you finish. I wanted to make a statement about how tough I am.
'I knew that he's very explosive, and I had to make him a little bit tired. That's all I needed - to take that speed away.
'I'm relieved. A three-loss streak is not fun.
'To get tested early in the first round and come back — I'd like to sweep everybody, but (it was) character-building today.'
Erceg (13-4) normally fights at flyweight, but this bout had to be at bantamweight due to Osbourne only having a week to prepare.
His original opponent, Alex Perez, pulled out three weeks ago due to injury, with his replacement HyunSung Park withdrawn just over a week ago so he could headline a different bout.
Osbourne's lightning-quick speed set the tone in the opening round, but Erceg adapted well and will now be looking to lock in a bout against a top-10 fighter in the flyweight division.
Erceg, currently the 10th-ranked challenger in the flyweight division, came close to winning the belt last year when he fought champion Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil.
That unanimous decision defeat was followed by a round-one knockout loss to No.5-ranked challenger Kai Kara-France in Perth, and a defeat to No.2-ranked challenger Brandon Moreno in March.
'You have doubts going through your head,' Erceg said of the pressure on himself.
'Was I a fraud all along? Do I deserve to be here? All that nonsense.
'It's good to fight a tough guy in the UFC. He's been here for ages and to get a tough win.'
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