How sweet potato is making Aussie UFC star happier
Erceg will be aiming to snap a three-fight losing run when he faces Jamaican Ode Osbourne in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday AEST).
The bantamweight battle looms as a fork-in-the-road moment for Erceg's rollercoaster UFC career.
Erceg (12-4) started his UFC journey with three impressive wins, paving the way for a title bout against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil last year.
The West Australian's decision to grapple Pantoja in the final round instead of continuing to pepper the bruised and bloodied champion with more blows came back to haunt him, with that loss followed by a round-one knockout defeat to Kai Kara-France in Perth.
Eager to avoid back-to-back knockout losses, Erceg played it safe during his unanimous decision defeat to Brandon Moreno in March - a mistake the 30-year-old vows not to repeat.
"I can't believe I fought like that. I'm disgusted in myself honestly," Erceg told AAP.
"Now I am more willing to take risks, because getting knocked out isn't as bad as the feeling of losing a fight that you didn't try your best in.
"I know that my contract is on the line with the UFC, so I need to start putting some stuff together."
Erceg's original opponent for his upcoming fight was Alex Perez, who pulled out less than three weeks ago due to a fracture.
Perez's replacement - HyunSung Park - was then withdrawn just over a week ago so he could headline UFC Vegas 108 against Tatsuro Taira.
Osbourne (13-8) has stepped up at short notice, but because the 33-year-old hasn't had much time to cut weight, his fight against Erceg will be held at bantamweight instead of flyweight.
That means Erceg can effectively be 4.5kg heavier than normal for his weigh-in, and he's been loving every second of it, especially the sight of sweet potatoes on his plate.
"It's been fantastic," Erceg said.
"The UFC nutrition team, they make your meals during fight week to make it easier for you to cut weight and have the right nutrients.
"And it's the first time I've ever had carbs included in the meals. So that's been exciting. I'm honestly happier.
"Usually I get in a pretty bad mood - not that I act rude or anything like that - but my dad and my coach can definitely tell that I'm not my happy-go-lucky self (when I have to cut down for flyweight)."
Erceg is only two-and-a-bit years into his UFC career, and doesn't want it to end anytime soon.
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