Alexandre Pantoja vs Stephen Erceg Prediction & Betting Tips - UFC n°301

Prediction published on 04/05/2024, 19:00  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 04/05/2024 at 19:45 in MMA Predictions

The main event of UFC 301 in Rio will see local hero Alexandre Pantoja stepping back into the ring to defend his flyweight championship against the surging Australian Stephen Erceg. The champion has a record of 27-5-0, while the contender is 12-1-0. 

Alexandre Pantoja is gearing up for his second title defense and will be chomping at the bit to put on a show in front of his home fans. Since his loss to Askar Askarov, Pantoja has bounced back with five consecutive victories, propelling himself to the top of the flyweight rankings. Known as "The Cannibal," Pantoja is a relentless force inside the Octagon. He prefers to move forward aggressively, pressuring his opponents with powerful punches and showing little regard for caution. This aggressive style is backed by his incredible confidence in his grappling abilities. Pantoja captured the title last July in a hard-fought battle against two-time champion Brandon Moreno. He then successfully defended the belt for the first time in December, utilizing his superior wrestling skills to control Brandon Royval and extend his winning streak to five fights. Trained at American Top Team, Pantoja has always relied heavily on his grappling prowess, prioritizing positional dominance over simply inflicting damage. 

Stephen Erceg suffered his second professional loss early in his career but rebounded impressively with an eight-fight winning streak on the Australian domestic circuit, ultimately earning a coveted contract with the UFC. Following his promotional debut, where he outworked Top 15 contender David Dvorak in Vancouver, Erceg quickly made a mark in the rankings. His victory over Alessandro Costa in November solidified his status as a formidable presence in the division, and he further cemented his reputation with a second-round knockout of Matt Schnell in March. However, facing Pantoja represents a significant step up in competition for Erceg, particularly considering The Cannibal’s exceptional grappling skills. Still, Erceg has showcased his talent and resilience in his three fights since debuting at UFC 289, and he is a well-rounded fighter with solid wrestling and clinch work, complemented by technically sound striking. Patient and strategic in his approach, Erceg is adept at finding the most efficient path to victory. He will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Pantoja.