Hometown hero Alexandre Pantoja reigned supreme in Brazil as he successfully defended the UFC flyweight title in a hard-fought contest against Steve Erceg at UFC 301.
Pantoja won via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) in his first fight back in Brazil since 2013. The Sporting News scored the fight 48-47 in favor of Pantoja. It was a fight with top-tier competitors that proved flyweights belong in the main event.
The fight was pretty even to many, with both giving it their all. Erceg landed early combinations as the Aussie, ranked tenth, looked to shock the world. However, Pantoja landed takedowns to avoid trouble. Though he didn’t provide much damage, it tired Erceg out. Erceg's kicks helped him in the later rounds, as did his punches and elbows, forcing Pantoja to bleed by the eye. The Aussie’s 80 significant head strikes trumped Pantoja’s 54.
At one point, Pantoja did ragdoll Erceg around the octagon, having 5:44 of control time. But the announcers pointed out that there wasn't much damage done on the floor. Pantoja took that to heart and slammed him down in the fifth, his ninth takedown of the fight, and provided damage to the body in the end. The champion took advantage of several failed takedown attempts by Erceg and secured the win for his second successful title defense.
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Pantoja extended his win streak to six. Erceg's eleven-fight win streak came to an end.
A passionate Brazil crowd, over 14,000+ strong, witnessed a sleeper card transform into an entertaining fight night. It was highlighted by the legendary Mauricio "Shogun" Rua being announced for the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.
Speaking of Brazilian pride, the co-main event saw Jose Aldo return to MMA action for the first time since 2022 against Jonathan Martinez. Aldo wore a crown to the octagon, highlighting his “King of Rio” nickname. The 37-year-old looked like his vintage self, landing crisp shots that pushed Martinez back. He managed a rare takedown in the third round, his first since 2014, to a thunderous ovation.
Aldo won via unanimous decision. It was the last fight of his UFC deal, as the former featherweight champion and Hall of Famer may be ready to move to a career in boxing. However, he hinted at continuing to fight in the octagon.
"Maybe we can come back in here and become the champion,” Aldo said.
Meanwhile, Anthony Smith earned his first submission win since 2021 by landing a guillotine against Vitor Petrino. “Lionheart" called his shot and is now 2-1 in his last three fights. The win silenced the crowd, and the 35-year-old proved age is just a number.
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While he doesn’t care much about gold now, a win and moving back up in the light heavyweight rankings may change his mind.
Michel Pereira is on an eight-fight win streak after beating Ihor Potieria, who competed in the last fight of "Shogun's" career. The Maraba-born Pereira started hot from the jump with vicious shots and then submitted Potieria within the first minute of the contest.
Pereira did land a backflip during the fight, and his shin might have hit Potieria illegally. It wouldn’t have been wise to overturn it in Brazil. He gets a win, for now, and a potential number next to his name in the middleweight rankings.
Opening the main card, Caio Borralho knocked out Paul Craig. He landed huge rights and lefts, with one shot right against the cage that pushed Craig’s neck back and forward. It was a big win for Borralho as he also looks to advance in the middleweight rankings, where he is 14th.
Other highlights from the event include Jack Shore seemingly breaking his leg against Joanderson Brito. A leg kick forced Shore’s leg to get busted open, with a giant hole forming. The referee and doctor did not want the injury to get worse, if possible, ending the fight.
The Sporting News provided results from the entire UFC 301 card.
UFC 301 full card results
Main Card
- Alexandre Pantoja (c) def. Steve Erceg for the UFC flyweight title (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
- Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino via submission (2:00 into round one)
- Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (0:54 into round one)
- Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via KO (2:10 into round two)
Prelims
- Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore via TKO (3:35 into round two)
- Iasmin Lucindo; def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Prelims
- Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (4:42 into round one)
- Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (1:35 into round two)