Rising Australian star Steve Erceg has been given an unlikely shot at a UFC title after only making his debut in the Octagon last year.
The 28-year-old - nicknamed 'Astroboy' - will fight Brazil's Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight title in a bid to become Australia's third UFC champion.
As Erceg enters the Octagon for only the fourth time in his career at UFC 301, The Sporting News has all the details.
MORE: Erceg wins on debut at UFC 289 | Erceg defeats Costa at UFC 295 to maintain unbeaten start to career
When is Steve Erceg vs. Alexandre Pantoja UFC flyweight title fight?
Erceg's bid to win the UFC flyweight title against Pantoja will be at UFC 301 on Sunday, May 5.
It will come only 11 months after he made his UFC debut in June last year with victory against David Dvorak.
Where is Steve Erceg vs. Alexandre Pantoja UFC flyweight title fight?
Brazilian star Pantoja will host Erceg for the fight in Brazil's capital Rio de Janeiro.
It is also the hometown of Pantoja.
Why is Steve Erceg getting a title shot?
Despite being ranked no.10 in the flyweight division, Erceg has been given a shot at Pantoja's title because other possible contenders have been in recent fights or injured.
Erceg is 3-0 in his UFC career since making his debut in June 2023, defeating David Dvorak, Alessandro Costa and Matt Schnell across the last nine months.
His most recent fight was an impressive one-punch knockout of Schnell in Las Vegas.
Alexandre Pantoja's record
Pantoja, 27-5-0, won the UFC flyweight title when he defeated Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July 2023.
He has defended the championship once since - a unanimous decision victory against Brandon Royval at UFC 296 in December last year.
Pantoja has won five fights in a row, with his last defeat coming against Askar Askarov in July 2020.
How many Australians have been UFC champions?
Only two Australians have held UFC titles - Robert Whittaker and Alexander Volkanovski.
Whittaker defeated Yoel Romero to become the interim UFC Middleweight champion in July 2017.
He was then promoted to UFC Middleweight champion after incumbent Georges St-Pierre vacated the belt.
Volkanovski won the UFC Featherweight title by beating Max Holloway in December 2019.