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Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg Preview & Picks – Pantoja To Retain Title At UFC 301
- Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg picks for Saturday, May 4
- UFC 301 is taking place at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
Alexandre Pantoja (Getty Images)
- Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg Preview & Picks
- Alexandre Pantoja Form
- Steve Erceg Form
Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg Preview & Picks
Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg Preview & Picks
Alexandre Pantoja is tipped to retain his flyweight title by submission.
Pantoja is a big step up in quality from anyone that Steve Erceg has faced, and he has a huge advantage on the mat.
He is backed to use his speed and striking to set up the takedown, and when he gets the fight to the canvas he is likely to soon have Erceg tapping.
- Alexandre Pantoja is on a 5-fight win streak
- Alexandre Pantoja’s last 2 stoppage wins were by submission
- 4 of Alexandre Pantoja’s 6 stoppage wins in the UFC have been by submission
- 19 of Alexandre Pantoja’s 27 career wins have been by submission or decision
Alexandre Pantoja Form
Alexandre Pantoja is the current UFC flyweight champion with a professional record of 27-5 (8 KOs, 10 Subs).
Pantoja debuted in the UFC in January 2017 and got off to a strong start as he won five of his first six fights, including beating Brandon Moreno by unanimous decision in May 2018.
His momentum stalled between July 2019 and July 2020 however, as he suffered two defeats in the space of three fights.
‘The Cannibal’ dropped a unanimous decision to Deiveson Figueiredo and then failed to build on a first-round knockout of Matt Schell as he lost on points to Askar Askarov.
Pantoja has not lost since though, feeling off five consecutive wins to surge to the summit of the flyweight ladder.
The 34-year-old Brazilian started this streak with a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape in February 2021.
He then backed that up by submitting Brandon Royval in the second round and Alex Perez in the first.
That earned Pantoja his first crack at UFC gold, and he took his big opportunity by edging a split decision win over Brandon Moreno.
He then made a successful defence of that title last December, beating Royval on points in their rematch.
Steve Erceg Form
Steve Erceg is the number 10-ranked flyweight contender with a professional record of 12-1 (2 KOs, 6 Subs).
Erceg lost the second bout of his professional career, but rebounded with an eight-fight win streak on the Australian domestic scene to earn a contract with the UFC.
He made a successful debut last June as he beat David Dvorak by decision, and backed that up in November when he beat Alessandro Costa on points.
‘Astro Boy’ then recorded his third consecutive UFC victory just several weeks ago.
Erceg knocked out Matt Schnell in the second round of their contest, and shortly afterwards he agreed to fight for the title in only his fifth fight inside the Octagon.
Verdict
Steve Erceg has made a splash in the UFC, but we are not convinced that he is ready for this.
Alexandre Pantoja is a seasoned campaigner who has fought the best at this weight, and we expect him to be too good for Erceg.
Alexandre Pantoja is a seasoned campaigner who has fought the best at this weight, and we expect him to be too good for Erceg.
Pantoja by Submission
Method Of Victory
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Pantoja by Sub or Dec
Double Chance
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Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes NY,NV,ID, KY,WA, MI.
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