Perth UFC star Steve Erceg says fighting former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in Mexico this month will be a dream come true, and hopes victory will silence the haters who have been calling him a “bum”.

Erceg was initially scheduled to fight No.8-ranked flyweight challenger Asu Almabayev in Las Vegas last weekend.

But Erceg’s disappointment at that bout being canned was quickly replaced with joy when it was confirmed he would face No.2-ranked challenger Moreno in Mexico City on March 29 instead.

The bout looms as a critical juncture in Erceg’s career, given he is on a two-fight losing streak on the back of defeats to champion Alexandre Pantoja and highly rated Kiwi Kai Kara-France.

Erceg won over many fans by going the full distance against Pantoja in Rio in May.

But the feedback hasn’t been pretty since his round-one knockout loss to Kara-France in Perth in August.

Erceg (12-3) was forthright when asked what a win over Moreno would do for his career.

“It would silence the haters for a little while I guess,” Erceg told AAP.

“Obviously (it would) put me back in the conversation for the title and that sort of thing as well.

“But I want to go down as one of the toughest guys to ever do it.

“So for me going out there and always saying yes to every opponent that’s offered, it goes a long way towards that.”

And what about the hate he’s been receiving?

“Any time you have a few losses people start calling you a bum and all that sort of stuff,” Erceg said.

“Not that I really care, but it does play on your mind a little bit.

“I try to avoid (social media), but I can’t help myself. I’m just curious for information about everything.”

Erceg joked that the hate he has been receiving online of late is nothing compared to what the people closest to him have been dishing out.

“I mean, I think my inner circle are more abusive than anybody on the outside has ever been,” Erceg said with a laugh.

“So they’ve desensitised me years ago. If I have a bad day, I get told I suck.

“Obviously they’re very supportive and all that good stuff, but they also tell me the truth.

“So if I’m doing something stupid, they’ll tell me I’m being stupid.

“If I’m acting like a douchebag, they’re going to tell me I’m a douchebag.”

Erceg isn’t afraid to take on the best - as evidenced by his willingness to jump at the chance to take on Moreno.

Moreno (28-8 with two draws) won the flyweight title in both 2021 and 2023, and he’s aiming to climb the mountain yet again.

Erceg can’t wait to fight Moreno on enemy territory.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages,” the Australian said.

“He’s a former champ, massive name, great fighter, and he’s a Mexican.

“I’ve grown up watching Mexican boxers and their fighting style for ages.

“So fighting someone of his standard is a dream come true. I’m more excited than maybe I’ve ever been for a fight before in my life.”