It would seem to take a lot to rile up UFC flyweight Steve Erceg, but Muhammad Mokaev has evidently managed it.
While Erceg isn’t one for trash talk and heated feuds, he did get on the wrong side of Mokaev after giving his take on the Dagestan-born Brit’s sudden UFC exit.
After the promotion chose not to re-sign “The Punisher," with Dana White citing issues away from the cage, Erceg claimed that Mokaev had displayed disrespectful behavior toward UFC staff.
Mokaev was quick to reject that, and he reiterated that Erceg is a ‘liar’ while reacting to an image of the Australian standout following his fknockdown at the hands of Kai Kara-France at UFC 305 last August.
And Mokaev's mocking of Erceg seemingly spread into the private realm, with the current UFC contender revealing during an appearance on Tuesday's episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned that "The Punisher" had messaged him.
Because of that, "AstroBoy" had some choice words for his former UFC peer.
I didn't like the way (Mokaev) interacted with people around him, and he's messaged me since," Erceg said. "I'm thinking more and more that he's a massive knob. He seemed like a privileged diva. ... It was surprising because you would think somebody that grew up the way he grew up would be a little bit more humble.
He just seemed like a douche. After I got knocked out, obviously, he messaged me and asked me if I woke up," Erceg continued. "I'd love to slap him around.
For the time being, Erceg won't have the chance to 'slap Mokaev around', with the pair competing under different promotional banners.
The Aussie will instead look to emerge victorious from a battle with former two-time UFC champion Brandon Moreno at this weekend's event in Mexico City.