Aussie UFC star fans say is a dead ringer for a Hollywood heavyweight reveals his dad’s BIZARRE reaction when he told him he wanted to be a professional fighter

Australian UFC title contender Steve Erceg has opened up about his father’s hilarious response to his request to compete in MMA as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.

At UFC 301 on Sunday, Erceg will face UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja for the championship title in Brazil.

Should the 28-year-old Perth product do the unthinkable and win, his improbable run to the title will be one of the fastest in UFC history.

‘Astro Boy’ has made just three Octagon appearances and is ranked No. 10 in the flyweight division, but sees himself walking away with the belt.

Erceg revealed that his father didn’t think he was strong enough to start fighting, so he let the boy potter with him in the backyard.

Erceg entered a local MMA gym at the age of 14 after being inspired by watching Frank Mir submit Brock Lesnar at UFC 81.

He would later make his professional fighting debut in 2016, but he had to get permission from his father to do so.

“I had to talk to my dad first and his response was, ‘I don’t think you’re strong enough to fight,’” Erceg revealed on UFC 301 Countdown.

“So he said we’re going to go out in the backyard and have a fight and see what happens there.

‘So my dad and I had a little bit in the backyard and at the end he came away and said, “Yes, you can have your first fight.”

It was the start of an incredible run on the domestic scene, where he would eventually claim the Eternal MMA Flyweight Championship.

Fight fans have often made comparisons between Erceg and The Office’s Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell.

However, the Perth star doesn’t let the memes and jokes get to him and says he’s fine with it.

The Australian prodigy is often compared to The Office’s Michael Scott, played by Steve Carrell

Erceg has had a remarkable string of wins both inside and outside of the UFC

Erceg believes he needs security to protect him after he beats Alexandre Pantoja for the championship title in Rio on Sunday

“If I couldn’t laugh, I’d be in trouble,” he said Fox sports.

“In my field, people are always making memes and talking about me… but luckily I’m well equipped to handle it all.”

However, Erceg believes he will need security to get him out of the arena in Rio on Sunday.

“Because I come to beat the champion in his hometown,” Erceg said.

“So it’s very likely that as I walk to the Octagon, the crowd will tell me I’m going to die.

“Same thing as after, if I have that belt, security will have to lead me away because they’ll throw bottles at me.

‘I’m going to have to get on a plane and get out of there quickly because people are going to want to kill me.

“That’s how I think it will go.”