Alexandre Pantoja retained the UFC flyweight title Saturday in his native Rio de Janeiro, however it wasn’t with out some pushback.
Within the UFC 301 fundamental occasion at Farmasi Arna, Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) crept by Steve Erceg (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) to earn a unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) nod.
The battle was carefully contested with a number of rounds up for debate. Whereas Pantoja began robust, Erceg gained momentum within the second spherical as his boxing he got here to life.
In Spherical 3, Erceg sliced Pantoja open badly, a reduce that triggered blood to squirt all around the canvas because the champion managed the challenger on the mat. Pantoja confirmed off a well-rounded assault, as he combined his placing and robust grappling from bell to bell to bell.
Spherical 4 arguably was Erceg’s strongest as his placing additional got here to life and his robust cardio confirmed. Pantoja combatted the challenger’s efforts with wits, pacing, and adaptiveness as he eked out the ultimate spherical – and the choice.
THE UNDISPUTED FLYWEIGHT CHAMP 🏆@PantojaMMA | #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/Qupy4jM2LT
— UFC (@ufc) Might 5, 2024
With the victory, Pantoja efficiently defends his title for the second time. He first received the title by cut up choice in opposition to Brandon Moreno in July, then defended it in opposition to Brandon Royval in December. Pantoja extends his successful streak to 6.
Erceg’s title problem got here in simply his fourth promotional struggle. The title struggle reserving was a shock to many, who anticipated Erceg to want no less than one other struggle or two earlier than he competed for gold. Even in defeat, nonetheless, Erceg proved himself challenger status-worthy via his efficiency.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 301 outcomes embrace:
- Champ Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg through unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
- Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino vs. through submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 1, 2:00
- Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria through submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 1, 0:54
- Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig through knockout (punches) – Spherical 2, 2:10
- Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore through TKO (damage) – Spherical 2, 3:35
- Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener through unanimous choice (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey through TKO (strikes) – Spherical 1, 4:42
- Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite through unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel through unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas through TKO (strikes) – Spherical 2, 1:35
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.
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