UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg 5/4/24 – As the UFC 301 approaches, the Flyweight title bout featuring Alexandre Pantoja (“The Cannibal”) and Steve Erceg (“Astroboy”) is shaping up to be a clash of titans, each boasting impressive records and skills that offering MMA experts free picks. Scheduled for May 4, 2024, at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this match promises explosive action and strategic gameplay. Pantoja, with a seasoned record of 27-5-0, faces the rising star Erceg, who brings a fresher face to the ring with a 12-1-0 record. Their stats and past performances suggest a tight contest that could go either way, making this a must-watch for MMA aficionados.
UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg 5/4/24
| When: | Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Farmasi Arena Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | UFC Fight Pass |
UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg 5/4/24 Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | -195 | Steve Erceg | +160 |
Main Card
Alexandre Pantoja
Alexandre Pantoja, known in the MMA world as “The Cannibal,” represents the most dangerous fighter of the UFC who has something more than an impressive and all-rounding skill set. With a deliberate record of staggering 27 victories with only 5 defeats and no draw, his experience is his most powerful weapon for sure. Pantoja’s performance is good indeed. Note his average 4.32 significant strikes per minute, and punch accuracy of 49%. This is not all, whereas, sprinting is not the only thing for him as he is also very strong in grappling with an average of 2.20 takedowns each 15 minutes and his takedown accuracy is 48%. Among all the advantages he’s demonstrated in the recent match-up with Royval, his skills in the stand-up battle and grappling on the ground were the ones that could easily be seen. This union of skills indicates that Pantoja is therefore close to being able to maintain his belt and employ his expertise and adaptability to dictate the rhythm and cover the range of the fight.
Steve Erceg
On the other side of the Octagon, Steve “Astroboy” Erceg whose achievements on the weighing scales hint at the massive talent he possesses to overtake the sport. Having only one deficiency from 12 victories – just the opposite, Erceg’s trajectory in MMA has been sharply upward to this point. Being 5’8″ with a reach of 68, he has a slight physical advantage over Pantoja, and this factor could be key to make the distance and execute strikes. For the striking statistic, Erceg averages a total of 4.57 significant strikes per minute, with a slightly lower absorption rate of Pantoja (55%), that presents his case for efficient striking and defense. His takedown defense is pretty solid as his grappling stat shows a 77% success. Erceg’s last battle against Schnell gave some proof of his ability to fully utilize all the chances that came his way as well as revise his strategy depending on the opponent’s actions and gameplay, which are all crucial qualities if he wanted to win Pantoja.
Pantoja vs. Erceg Betting Numbers
| Record | 21-3-0 | 12-1-0 |
| Last Fight | Win | Win |
| Country | Brazil | Australia |
| Height | 5’4″ | 5’8″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 125 | 125 |
| Reach (in) | 66″ | 68″ |
| Win by KO/TKO | 30% | 17% |
| Win by Submission | 37% | 50% |
| Decisions | 33% | 33% |
| Strikes landed per minute | 4.48 | N/A |
| Striking accuracy | 48% | N/A |
| Striking absorbed per minute | 3.23 | N/A |
| Striking defense | 59% | N/A |
| Takedown average | 0.72 | N/A |
| Takedown accuracy | 50% | N/A |
| Takedown defense | 62% | N/A |
| Submission average | 1.67 | N/A |
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg Summary
When Steve Erceg and Alexandre Pantoja are compared, it’s simple to see that both fighters bring their level of skill and drive to UFC 301. Pantoja’s combat experience coupled with his skillful combo of stand-up and ground game makes him a dangerous animal to encounter. Nevertheless, Erceg’s bright career prospect and a slight advantage of both offense and defense data in his hand might pave the way for him to not only withstand Pantoja’s attack but also to make enemies of his own. The role of Pantoja’s skill will be to use his experience and either take the match to the ground, where he has shown much of it. In this perspective, keeping distance with the help of his reach advantage and punishing openings of Pantoja’s defense will be the key for Erceg.
Considering all factors, this fight could very well hinge on who can better implement their game plan and adapt under pressure. While the safe bet might lean towards the more experienced Pantoja, Erceg’s potential for an upset should not be underestimated, making this one of the more intriguing matches at UFC 301. Fans looking to engage with top-tier sportsbooks online might find this match particularly challenging to call but thrilling to wager on. As the fight night approaches, the anticipation builds for what could be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers.
