Alexandre Pantoja returned to his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, final night time (Sat., Could 4, 2024), defending his Flyweight title towards Steve Erceg within the pay-per-view (PPV) principal occasion of UFC 301.
Contemplating the Australian was seeded No. 10 within the 125-pound rankings, Erceg gave “The Cannibal” a surprisingly aggressive combat that was determined within the remaining minute of the ultimate spherical on two judges’ scorecards.
When the chips had been down, Erceg shot for a takedown late within the fifth spherical, which Pantoja reversed. The Brazilian fighter ended the bout on prime and took the win 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.
“To not belittle Erceg — everybody noticed what a troublesome fighter he’s — however I assumed I might actually end this combat within the first spherical,” Pantoja stated at UFC 301’s post-fight press convention. “I used to be hurting him with my strikes, however when a man involves combat for the UFC belt, he involves kill or to die … particularly within the Flyweight division. They’re all very gifted fighters.
“Erceg is an excellent fighter, I’m positive he’ll make a number of noise on this division,” Pantoja concluded.
Admittedly, Pantoja fought a reckless combat and paid for it in blood, getting lower huge open by an Erceg elbow.
“I feel that solely when somebody is allowed to carry a gun into the Octagon will somebody kill me there,” he stated of the wound. “So long as I’m standing and have vitality, I might get lower, damage, however I’ll hold preventing, particularly as a result of I needed to symbolize in Brazil. I couldn’t depart right here with out this victory.
“I feel few champion fighters have managed to defend their title at residence,” Pantoja later added concerning the likelihood to headline in Rio. “I’m from Copacabana, I grew up in Arraial do Cabo and I noticed everybody within the enviornment at present and it made a complete distinction for me. I owe 50 % of my victory to the followers who had been current within the enviornment, who shouted with me, who cheered with me. I dedicate this victory to everybody who was right here at present.”
That is as clear of a slicing elbow and left hook combo by Steve Erceg as you’ll see in MMA.
Pantoja is so rattling powerful. Walked proper by means of this combo, however the lower is leaking dangerous. pic.twitter.com/LpPikPESYw
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) Could 5, 2024
It’s been a busy 12 months for Pantoja, who received the Flyweight title in July 2023 and has already defended it twice. His present plan is to sit down again and take a relaxation with the hopes {that a} huge identify will turn out to be out there to combat.
He shared two concepts: Sean O’Malley and Demetrious Johnson.
“I’ve an excellent division to defend,” he stated. “I’d solely go up if I needed to combat O’Malley. If it’s one other champion within the prime class, I don’t care. I simply wish to go up towards O’Malley. He’s a man who talked nonsense about me. I already hit him as soon as and I can hit him once more.
“If Demetrious Johnson is listening and desires to come back again and take a look at one thing, that may be an honor for me,” he added. “I feel the one dream I’ve is to combat a man like that. For me, he is likely one of the largest names to ever be in UFC.”
As cool as that combat can be, “Mighty Mouse” is at the moment signed to ONE Championship, though he hasn’t competed within the group (the place he’s the Flyweight champion) for a yr now. If Pantoja needs to face the Flyweight G.O.A.T., he might must do it through a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match.
As for Sean O’Malley, he’s anticipated to combat Merab Dvalishvili someday towards the tip of 2024 (particulars right here). So, Pantoja will most definitely have to attend and see who emerges from the present UFC Flyweight roster as a dominant challenger for his subsequent title protection.
Let’s begin right here?
For full UFC 301 outcomes, protection and highlights click on HERE.
