Rio de Janeiro is the site for a Thrilling UFC 301
UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg – Fight Night in Rio Heats Up
The Octagon descends upon Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for UFC 301 on May 4th, 2024, marking the 18th Fight Night in the fight-hungry nation. This fight night promises a thrilling main event with a title on the line, alongside exciting preliminary bouts. Here’s a glimpse into what awaits fight fans:
Main Event: Flyweight Title Fight – Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Steve Erceg
The flyweight championship takes center stage as Brazilian champion Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) defends his belt against the undefeated Australian challenger, Steve Erceg (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Pantoja, nicknamed “The Gaucho,” is on a tear, winning five consecutive fights. In 2023, he solidified his reign by capturing and defending the title against Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. Now, he looks to silence the Aussie upstart in front of his home crowd.
Erceg, known as “The Sniper,” has impressed in his short UFC stint, showcasing his well-rounded striking and finishing instincts. He’ll be aiming to pull off a major upset and become the new flyweight king. This clash of styles promises a captivating fight. Pantoja’s well-rounded skillset and championship experience will be tested against Erceg’s powerful striking and finishing ability.
More details for the Main Event, Let’s break it down:
- Alexandre Pantoja:
- Pantoja claimed the belt last July in a competitive battle with two-time champ Brandon Moreno.
- He successfully defended the title for the first time in December, out-wrestling Brandon Royval.
- Pantoja’s grappling prowess and positional dominance have been key to his success.
- His winning streak stands at five, and he aims to solidify his position atop the division.
- Stephen Erceg:
- Erceg made an impressive promotional debut, out-working Top 15 fixture David Dvorak.
- He extended his overall winning streak to double digits by defeating Alessandro Costa.
- Known as “Astroboy,” Erceg is a legitimate threat in the division.
- His second-round knockout win over Matt Schnell showcased his striking skills.
Intriguing Undercard Bouts
UFC 301: Pantoja vs Erceg. This event promises an electrifying lineup of fighters from various weight classes. Here are the matchups you can look forward to:
Main Card:
- Flyweight Title Bout: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Stephen Erceg
- Alexandre Pantoja (Brazil) defends his flyweight title against the Australian contender Stephen Erceg.
- Bantamweight Bout: Jonathan Martinez vs. José Aldo
- Jonathan Martinez (United States) faces the legendary Brazilian fighter José Aldo.
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
- Anthony Smith (United States) takes on Brazilian prospect Vitor Petrino.
- Middleweight Bout: Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
- Michel Pereira (Brazil) clashes with Ukrainian fighter Ihor Potieria.
- Middleweight Bout: Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho
- Paul Craig (Scotland) squares off against Brazilian contender Caio Borralho.
Prelims:
- Featherweight Bout: Jack Shore vs. Joanderson Brito
- Jack Shore (Wales) meets Brazilian fighter Joanderson Brito.
- Women’s Strawweight Bout: Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz (Poland) faces Brazilian competitor Iasmin Lucindo.
- Lightweight Bout: Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
- Elves Brener (Brazil) takes on Kyrgyzstan’s Myktybek Orolbai.
- Featherweight Bout: Jean Silva vs. William Gomis
- Jean Silva (Brazil) battles French fighter William Gomis.
Early Prelims:
- Lightweight Bout: Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
- Joaquim Silva (Brazil) faces American fighter Drakkar Klose.
- Lightweight Bout: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey
- Mauricio Ruffy (Brazil) takes on Australian contender Jamie Mullarkey.
- Women’s Flyweight Bout: Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaitė
- Dione Barbosa (Brazil) meets Lithuanian fighter Ernesta Kareckaitė.
- Lightweight Bout: Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
- Ismael Bonfim (Brazil) faces American veteran Vinc Pichel.
- Flyweight Bout: Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas
- Alessandro Costa (Brazil) takes on Peruvian fighter Kevin Borjas.
Fight Night Atmosphere in Rio
The passionate Brazilian crowd is a guaranteed highlight. Expect a vibrant atmosphere electric with energy as they cheer on their homegrown talent, particularly Pantoja. The energy will undoubtedly spill over into the Octagon, pushing fighters to deliver an unforgettable night of action.
UFC 301 Betting Odds
How to Watch UFC 301
Don’t miss a moment of the action! UFC 301 airs live on May 4th, 2024, with preliminary fights starting at 6:00 PM ET/300 PM PT. The main card kicks off at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT on ESPN+ and UFC pay-per-view.
Predictions
This fight night is packed with potential. While Pantoja has the experience and home-field advantage, Erceg’s hunger and striking prowess make him a dangerous challenger. This one could come down to the wire.
The undercard fights are equally exciting, with potential upsets and knockouts looming. This one could come down to the wire.
One thing’s for certain: UFC 301 promises an electrifying night of fights in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. So tune in and witness the next chapter unfold in the Octagon!
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