Alexandre Pantoja ekes by Steve Erceg in thriller

Alexandre Pantoja retained the UFC flyweight title Saturday in his native Rio de Janeiro, nevertheless it wasn’t with out some pushback.

Within the UFC 301 most important 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 resolution (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) nod.

The battle was intently 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 induced 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 blended his putting and powerful grappling from bell to bell to bell.

Spherical 4 arguably was Erceg’s strongest as his putting 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) Could 5, 2024

With the victory, Pantoja efficiently defends his title for the second time. He first received the title by break up resolution towards Brandon Moreno in July, then defended it towards 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 wish not less than one other struggle or two earlier than he competed for gold. Even in defeat, nevertheless, Erceg proved himself challenger status-worthy by his efficiency.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 301 outcomes embody:

• Champ Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg by way of unanimous resolution (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
• Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez by way of unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino vs. by way of submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 1, 2:00
• Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria by way of submission (guillotine choke) – Spherical 1, 0:54
• Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig by way of knockout (punches) – Spherical 2, 2:10
• Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore by way of TKO (damage) – Spherical 2, 3:35
• Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by way of unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener by way of unanimous resolution (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
• Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva by way of unanimous resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey by way of TKO (strikes) – Spherical 1, 4:42
• Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite by way of unanimous resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel by way of unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas by way of TKO (strikes) – Spherical 2, 1:35

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.