Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg, two of the most electrifying flyweight fighters in the world, are about to collide in a high-stakes showdown in the main event of UFC 301 on May 4, 2024, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This UFC Flyweight Championship, originally slated for UFC 301 Pantoja and Steve is poised to be a monumental clash. Brace yourselves; we’ve compiled some thrilling match details to amplify your excitement.
Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. His other name is “The Cannibal.” Alexandre started his early career in 2007 in martial arts. Pantoja started his career with two straight victories from 2007 to 2008 by submission and TKO (punches). His career later opened for a loss over William Vianna by a decision on September 25, 2008. Then, Alexandre led to five consecutive wins in 2009; this same year, Pantoja proved his grit is very impressive. Even though Alexandre lost after five wins, Alexandre could be done with his fascinating, stunning triumphs and many inconsecutive losses in his career from 2010 until 2023. Pantoja is a formidable contestant for their opponents. Pantoja has a better stiff submission unless there are knockouts and decisions. Alexandre Style will follow the same tactics to notable prosperity in their upcoming series against Steve Erceg.
Meanwhile, Stephen Vincenzo Erceg, on the other hand, is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. Erceg started his career in 2016 and fought in Australian promotions such as Hex Fighting Series and Eternal MMA, winning the flyweight title in the latter and compiling a 9-1 record before signing with the UFC. His other name is “Astro Boy.” Erceg opens his MMA career with his first win by submission (guillotine choke) against Ryan Robertson. Steve should lose the second match over Sean Gauci by decision on September 1, 2027. After a loss, Steve gave his stunning Performance of 11 victories, which is terrific. However, Steve Erceg has a splendid career with Fight Night and UFC 295 and 289, and he started his career with only one loss from 2016 to 2024. Steve could be substantial by submission, except for knockouts and decisions. Steve Erceg competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight division. Since March 5, 2024, Erceg has ranked 10th in the UFC flyweight standings. Hence, this battle between these two top rivals will be intriguing until the end.
UFC 301 Event Details
Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
Date: May 4, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 08:00 PM ET|05:00 PM PT| 5:30 AM IST (next day)
Venue: Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Where can I watch Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg?
In Canada, BELL keeps the right to broadcast the fights this year.
ESPN broadcasts the event in the United States and on its OTT platform, ESPN+, which offers live streaming for its subscribers.
In the UK, UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg airs live on the TNT Sports Box Office; BT Sport will officially broadcast UFC.
The official website of the UFC provides a UFC fight pass, a must-have for viewers and fans worldwide who want to live stream the event. This subscription-based service ensures you don’t miss a single moment of the action.
Viewers can watch the fight on Kayo as a PPV event in Australia. You don’t need a separate Kayo subscription to purchase this PPV.
In addition, bet365.com allows live streaming for active bettors on fight days.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg fight card
Main card
Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Steve Erceg (flyweight)
Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo (Bantamweight)
Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino (light heavyweight)
Michael Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria (middleweight)
Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho (middleweight)
Prelims
Jack Shore vs. Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai (lightweight)
Jean Silva vs. William Gomis (featherweight)
Early Prelims
Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose (lightweight)
Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey (lightweight)
Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite (women’s flyweight)
Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel (lightweight)
Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas (flyweight)
Alexandre Pantoja Stats and Bio
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 34
Height: 5’5″
Reach: 68″
Total fights: 32
Record: 27-5-0 (8 knockouts)
Steve Erceg Stats and Bio
Nationality: Australian
Age: 28
Height: 5’8″
Reach: 681/2″
Total Fights: 13
Record: 12-1-0 (2 knockouts)
Prediction:
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
The Alexandre Pantoja faced his first title defense against Brandon Royval in a December 16, 2023 rematch at UFC 296. Pantoja successfully defended his title, winning the about via unanimous decision. Pantoja currently plays in the flyweight division of the UFC, where Alexandre is the most recent current UFC flyweight champion. As of February 20, 2024, Pantoja is 10th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. He faced fellow Cejudo member Kai Kara-France in the quarterfinals, defeating him unanimously and progressing to the semi-finals. Pantoja overcame Hiromasa Ougikubo in the tournament’s semi-finals and was defeated unanimously. It was soon announced that he had contracted with the UFC in the future. His knockout percentage is 29%, and Pantoja withstands inactivity for 140 days. Pantoja has additional advantages; he won the first title after defeating the current world champion with an experienced grappler and long arms to attack his opponents, who did not see Pantoja attack then. We describe the Alexandre stands with more years of pro and more professional fights along with no knockout loss. Pantoja faced Alex Perez in 2022 at UFC 277. Pantoja won the fight via a neck-crank submission early in the first round. Also, he wins his third Performance of the Night award. Alexandre Pantoja submission advantage to utilize in their anticipation series against Steve with submission in the early first round.
On the flip side, Stephen Vincenzo Erceg had won the Eternal MMA Flyweight Championship only once. Steve made his mixed martial arts debut in Performance of the Night two times against David Dvorak and Matt Schnell. His stance has been orthodox and inactive for 63 days. Steve could have a 16% knockout percentage with short withstanding in the MMA compared to Alexandre Pantoja. Steve Erceg has an additional massive advantage: he could experience grappling with younger fighters. Have even more assets: no knockout losses and fewer inactive days for Steve with stiff submission. Making his UFC debut, Erceg faced David Dvorak on June 10, 2023, replacing Matt Schnell. In an upset, he won the about via unanimous decision. Erceg was held to face Matt Schnell on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. However, for unknown reasons, Schnell withdrew from the office and was replaced by Alessandro Costa. Erceg won the about by unanimous decision. Later, it was rescheduled with Matt Schnell for March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238. Erceg won the about in the second round by a left-hook knockout. Recognized for his aggressive fighting style, Erceg consistently seeks the finish, a trait that’s sharpening his for an arduous showdown against his seasoned adversary, Alexandre Pantoja. Anticipations point to a submission victory for Alexandre Pantoja, leveraging his accumulated skills and prowess to emerge triumphant once again.
The Pick: Alexandre Pantoja via submission
