Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja © Getty Images
Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja will lose his flyweight title when he faces Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC 301, scheduled for Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He will aim for a second successful defense.
Pantoja (27-5) defeated Brandon Roybal by unanimous decision at UFC 296 in December 2023 to make his first title defense, marking the fifth straight win for the 33-year-old Brazilian.
Erceg (12-1) is a relative unknown and only recently broke into the top 10 of the division rankings, but he rose to prominence with an 11-game winning streak, most recently ending Matt Schnell's streak in March. continuing.
The 28-year-old Australian may appear to have “jumped the queue” to upset the top-ranked fighters, but Pantoja sees him as a credible threat.
“He's a very tough opponent. At the moment, I think he's more difficult [Brandon] From Royval [Brandon] Moreno, he has nothing to lose, because he's the guy who comes from behind,” said the “cannibal.”
“He is ranked No. 10 and is new in this weight class. The only thing I disagree with is that I think I have more fighting experience. This is something I believe I will use in the Octagon.”
“Please distinguish him.”
On the other hand, “Astro Boy” believes that he has too much ability when it comes to striking and will root for himself to win the championship.
“I think there are a lot of holes. [in Pantoja’s game], especially on the feet. He escapes from them because he is very tough. I don't think it works against me,” Erceg explained.
“Yeah, I’m trying to get him out of the way, but I fully expect him to find a way to grapple or something like that because he can’t stay on the outside all the time. But I'm not a bastard there. I'm also a black belt.
“Before people started calling me a knockout guy, I had one knockout…I was a 'grappler' in the UFC, so I was completely confident in my skills on the ground and grappling.” I have. batting technique. ”
The remaining matches on the main card will feature more Brazilians in each match. The bantamweight bout will see veteran and MMA legend Jose Aldo take on Jonathan Martinez. Michel Pereira will face Ihor Potieria in a middleweight bout. The light heavyweight showdown pits Anthony Smith against Vitor Pedrino. And in the opening middleweight bout, Paul Craig will take on Caio Boralho.
UFC 301 – Main Card
– Main Event: Flyweight Championship: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Arceg
– Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs Jose Aldo
– Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Pedrino
– Middleweight: Michel Pereira v Ihor Potieria
– Middleweight: Paul Craig vs. Caio Boralho
