Charles Johnson deserves a big step up.... Steve Erceg is the perfect matchup IMO

[ExitLUPin]

5-1 since 2024. Went 4-0 in 2024.

Derailed some of the biggest prospects. KOd Van who could be next for Pantoja.

He shouldn't have even had to fight unranked Kavanagh here. Erceg makes sense.

I want to see Charles in a 5 rounder. Never finished in 25 fights and seems to get stronger as the fight goes as seen by Van comeback and he never stops coming forward. DANGEROUS fighter.

 

[John makfresshi]

Agree with everything you said! 10/10 no notes

 

[Istryker]

Yup

 

[Safton]

There wasn't really a problem with him fighting Kavanagh IMO. Lone'er was an undefeated prospect on a win streak with a lot of hype behind him. Charles was at the bottom end of the Top 15 coming off a recent loss. However, given the fact that he defended his rank and is coming off a recent big win streak I think he should get the opportunity to fight up again for his next one.

Erceg is also who I would put him against. A lot of people want to baby Erceg and give him low-level guys for a while until he "rebuilds", but Steve is a recent title challenger with a number next to his name. There are expectations that come with that. Ode was supposed to be his lay-up. It's not the matchmakers' fault that Steve unexpectedly went life-and-death with him. Flyweight is in a weird spot right now where very few guys are booked and the bottom of the division has lots of dudes coming off wins, many on streaks. Gotta force some movement and activity somehow or another.

And yeah, I think Charles would be incredibly dangerous in a five-round setting. He thrived as an LFA champion with his gas tank and the pace he was able to set.

 

[ChrisBenoit]

I hate his hair

 

[Fact Checker]

I think he folds Erceg, bro fell off hard



5 round Fight Night make it happen pinko

 

[Deltron 6060]

 

[Big Tuppy Hole]

I hate his hair

And his white boy tattoo's

 

[rollthedice]

I'd be happy with him in a fight night main event against either Kai or Erceg

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Agreed, and I'd like to see fighters with such obvious potential be given the opportunity to break into the top 10/ top 5 more often.

Look at how much time was lost to get Khamzat to a title fight... He was a stand out from the moment he debuted

Note that there's a difference between giving surging prospects the big tests they're begging for, and the Conor/O'malley strategy of skipping bad match ups to get a guy a belt at all costs if they're popular.

Poatan's run is the ideal example of making the most of the momentum and match ups available..

 

[The_Renaissance]

Erceg is a good shout actually.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Give Johnson someone like Tim Elliott and give Erceg someone like Bruno Silva.

Erceg just had a terrible run of form and a tough scrap with Osborne. Not sure if some of you guys don’t like him but he got rushed to a title shot, over performed, then fed to the wolves.

Good prospects should be given more time to grow or if on a bad slide a chance to rebuild. You can give Johnson a step up against someone ranked similar and give Erceg a step up from Osborne with someone similar to Johnson but easier stylistically.

Better matchmaking benefits everyone - the promotion doesn’t waste talent and if the fight does happen (i.e. both won their proposed matchups) it means more then.

 

[Thesnake101]

Give Johnson someone like Tim Elliott and give Erceg someone like Bruno Silva.

Erceg just had a terrible run of form and a tough scrap with Osborne. Not sure if some of you guys don’t like him but he got rushed to a title shot, over performed, then fed to the wolves.

Good prospects should be given more time to grow or if on a bad slide a chance to rebuild. You can give Johnson a step up against someone ranked similar and give Erceg a step up from Osborne with someone similar to Johnson but easier stylistically.

Better matchmaking benefits everyone - the promotion doesn’t waste talent and if the fight does happen (i.e. both won their proposed matchups) it means more then.

Tbh with how Erceg got hurt against Ode I think Bruno would be a bad matchup. He's mid but the one thing he does have is good power for a flyweight.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Tbh with how Erceg got hurt against Ode I think Bruno would be a bad matchup. He's mid but the one thing he does have is good power for a flyweight.

Not as fast as Osborne or as long.

With reach advantage and more equitable speed parity it lets Erceg fight someone that is dangerous but he’s more insulated against.

Elliott would be the safest matchup for Erceg that is ranked near him.

 

[TryggeTryggvar]

And his white boy tattoo's

Ah yes, unless you have hood wolf tattooed on your chest, you aint black.

I do agree he needs a step up, guy is fun to watch.