RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MAY 3: (LR) Opponents Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil and Steve Steve of Australia at the ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 301 on May 3, 2024 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Arseg faces off. (Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC, Getty Images)
Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his title for the second time in his reign at UFC 301, taking on Australia’s Steve Arseg.
Erceg was an unlikely, low-key challenger who was little known outside of hardcore fight fans, at least until he won the title. Erceg, ranked 10th in his weight class, owed his rise to the top through timing and skill, but there was no doubt that he was a dangerous opponent for the Brazilian champion.
Early in the main event of UFC 301, Pantoja was aggressive, throwing hands and chasing Erceg for takedowns. Erceg fought this off and tied things along the fence. They broke and moved to the center, settling into a more maintainable pace. Erceg then performed a clever combo, firing at an angle and finishing with a high kick that was blocked. Then, as the champion closed the distance again, Erceg clinched and fought off a takedown attempt.
But Erceg didn’t come through the round unscathed either. It appeared that his knee had opened a slight cut on his forehead. Pantoja had quite a bit of success in the close fight, finally scoring a takedown with two minutes remaining. Erceg shoved him away and scrambled halfway, but he took a knee to the body and ended up on his back again, with Pantoja on top. When Erceg stood up again, he was holding Pantoja almost on his back. Dragged down, Erceg had to race Pantoja in side control in an attempt to make a comeback. And when Erceg stood up again, Pantoja was on top of him and locked his waist.
With one last scramble to his feet, Erceg found space. However, after a strong start for the challenger, Pantoja likely won the round back.
The second round got off to another shaky start, and once again Pantoja took advantage of the early exchanges to take the fight to the fence and look for a takedown. Erceg had to fight back with a knee kick, but he pushed the champion away. Front body kick landed on the challenger. Pantoja hits a low kick. Erceg landed a jab. A clinch in the center led to a takedown for Pantoja, who was up in mount within seconds and with three minutes remaining. Erceg scrambled back into half guard. Erceg then reversed, utilized a front choke to stand up, then returned to range and fired a hook.
Closing the distance, Erceg changed levels and went for a takedown, but the attempt was slow, telegraphed and easily stuffed. Immediately after that, his left hand landed towards Erceg. Pantoja countered with a right. Then Erceg clips the champion with a left, forcing Pantoja to shoot! Erceg fought off the attempt and returned to the fight, aiming for low kicks, elbows, and jabs. However, Alexandre Pantoja ended the frame with a bodylock takedown. Fifth takedown in the second round.
Erceg started the third round with more elbows. The challenger evaded Pantoja’s punches and looked sharp. The champion headed for the corpse, presumably trying to steal Erceg’s energy. In a clinch along the fence, Erceg was hit low on his knee, but he chose to continue fighting. They returned to firing range and both men landed. Erceg fired a teep at his body. Pantoja cuts to the body with punches. Erceg then gave Pantoja a nasty cut with his elbow. The champion immediately went into takedown mode. Erceg would survive it, but Pantoja was seen running back into the corner with his head in his hands at the end of the third inning.
Pantoja’s body language on the stool between rounds was not very good. Erceg, on the other hand, came out swinging wide but was missing. Erceg then went for a takedown, which was easily avoided by the champion. The pursuit of a takedown was a bit puzzling at best, especially considering his success with elbows. Erceg worked his jab and Pantoja landed right hands as the round progressed. As the round passed the halfway mark, jabs started landing on Steve Arceg again. Pantoja slowed down, but still continued to fight back.
Another takedown by Erceg was stuffed by a sprawling Pantoja. The champion’s cut would reopen and he had to constantly wipe it to clear his vision. Pantoja took some slow strikes from Erceg, but was unable to land a takedown in a round that likely would have gone to the challenger.
In the fifth and final round, the two parties could easily reach a tie. Considering the closeness of the rounds and the volatile nature of MMA judges, it could easily be 3-1 for either fighter.
Steve Artheg scooped up the champion early in the fifth round and scored a takedown, but in a scramble he was able to take the back while Pantoja remained seated. Erceg powered up to his feet, but Pantoja still attacked Erceg with a body lock. The crowd showed their displeasure in grabbing onto the fence. Pantoja ends up dragging Erceg with him, but he can’t keep him there.
After half the round, the pair got up and went back to work. Erceg threw a high kick but it was blocked. The champion attacked Erceg’s lead leg and fired his left shot. Erceg then went for another takedown, but it was reversed. Once again, his success at his feet made the option of taking Pantoja to the ground puzzling. Erceg tried to scramble, but was stuck on his back. He would end the fight there, and those questionable takedown attempts loomed large when it came time for the scores to be read.
Official result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Arceg unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
