Excitement is building as Alexandre Pantoja prepares to defend his flyweight title against rising prospect Steve Erceg in a five-round showdown at UFC 301. The highly anticipated matchup was confirmed by the UFC on Friday, with both fighters agreeing to the bout pending the signing of official bout agreements.
Pantoja (27-5) has been on a tear, capturing and defending the 125-pound championship in 2023 with impressive victories over Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. With a current winning streak of five fights, Pantoja is poised to showcase his skills once again in the Octagon.
Meanwhile, Erceg (12-1) has been making waves since joining the UFC in 2023. The rising star has secured three consecutive wins, including a stunning knockout of Matt Schnell in March. With momentum on his side, Erceg is eager to prove himself against the reigning champion.
Speaking on the UFC Fight Pass show Bancada, Pantoja acknowledged the challenge that Erceg presents. “He’s a tough opponent,” Pantoja remarked. “He’s tougher than Royval and Moreno for me, because he comes from down the rankings and he has nothing to lose. He’s ranked No. 10 and is fresh in the division.”
Pantoja emphasized the importance of experience in the Octagon, expressing confidence in his ability to capitalize on his fighting savvy. “The thing in my favor is that I’m more experienced in fighting, and that will be used by me in the octagon,” he stated. “I can’t make mistakes or underestimate him because he hits hard.”
In addition to the flyweight title bout, UFC 301 will feature two new matchups sure to captivate fans. Michel Pereira will face Mahmud Muradov in a middleweight showdown, while former title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz squares off against Iasmin Lucindo in a strawweight clash.
Set to take place on May 4 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UFC 301 promises to deliver an unforgettable night of action. With a stacked lineup of fights, including Pantoja vs. Erceg at the helm, fans can expect fireworks inside the Octagon.
Stay tuned for more updates as the event approaches. UFC 301 is shaping up to be a must-watch event for MMA enthusiasts around the globe.
Updated UFC 301 Fight Card:
- Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Steve Erceg (Flyweight Title Bout)
- Michel Pereira vs. Mahmud Muradov
- Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
- Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
- Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
- Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas
- Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
- Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore
- Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
- Jean Silva vs. William Gomis
