News Alexandre Pantoja to defend Flyweight title against Steve Erceg at UFC 301

[Lights Out 101]

Yea, Erceg, the powerhouse with 2 tkos 13 fights. Vs Pantoja who has never even been rocked in a fight.

Yes. See you after 301.

 

[SamuraiBro]

Fuck it I picked Erceg with the the historic upset. If he can keep it standing he could do it.

He could, but I think Pantoja will zombie his way through punches and take him down for a sub or hold him down for 5 rounds

 

[jk7707]

Yes. See you after 301.

Sounds good.

 

[usernamee]

He's an even better grappler than he is a striker. People are complaining, but this is an interesting fight.

That's encouraging to hear. I honestly don't know much about him but people were hyping up his boxing like crazy and he for sure can crack and is willing to engage but also left himself quite open for counters.

What kind of a grappler is he? Wrestler or BJJ guy?

 

[Ladder Master]

We need a third option on the poll.

3. Does it matter?

 

[sjon22]

Royval- Already lost twice and just fought Pantoja
Moreno- Already lost 3 times and coming off a loss
Albazi- Presumably still injured
KKF- Coming off a loss
Nicolau- Coming off a loss
Kape- Coming off a bad weight miss, can’t reward that
Mokaev- Made more sense but assume unwilling or unable
Perez- Coming off 3 straight losses
Elliott- 1 win streak, but don’t think he’s a better choice

Pantoja needs an opponent and there’s just not many options. Far from a deserved title shot but I guess best they could do under the circumstances.

Sherdog is no place for sound logic!

 

[BlankaPresident]

As long as the champ is keeping active I'm fine with it. He can fight Mokaev later.

We need more of this instead of champions sitting on their belts.

 

[Goatenstein]

If Pantoja wants to stay busy this is fine. If he's wanting to fight twice a year this is weak.

 

[Siver!]

Pantoja wanted a title defence, and I'm glad he's got one.

Very puzzling that Mokaev didn't get it as he apparently wanted it.

Still, it's a fight, and Pantoja is an incredibly easy pick.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

quick push for a Erceg TS but i am happy it's not another rematch time to get some new blood at the top. imho

 

[GrantB13]

Royval- Already lost twice and just fought Pantoja
Moreno- Already lost 3 times and coming off a loss
Albazi- Presumably still injured
KKF- Coming off a loss
Nicolau- Coming off a loss
Kape- Coming off a bad weight miss, can’t reward that
Mokaev- Made more sense but assume unwilling or unable
Perez- Coming off 3 straight losses
Elliott- 1 win streak, but don’t think he’s a better choice

Pantoja needs an opponent and there’s just not many options. Far from a deserved title shot but I guess best they could do under the circumstances.

Sometimes this is the answer. People talk all the time about how someone would get a shot because they're higher ranked, but I'd much rather have someone actually coming off a win vs giving the #2 ranked guy a shot going 1-2 at the time or something. The best challenger isn't always the desired challenger.

 

[aogiri]

Mokaev or Erceg, I dont really care which one fights for the belt this division is starving for contenders. At least its not the guy that got 50-45ed like 3 months ago lmao.

 

[Danespina]

Mokaev is probably out due to Ramadan.

No he called for the fight at 301 in his post-fight.

I do like that there's various contenders rising though, with Moakev, Manel Kape, and Albazi all being potential contenders after 301.

 

[Siver!]

Yea, Erceg, the powerhouse with 2 tkos 13 fights. Vs Pantoja who has never even been rocked in a fight.

I picked Schnell over Erceg, but when Erceg KO'd him with the most average-looking punches in the history of the world, I knew Schnell was ready for retirement.

Now those average-looking punches have morphed into shots with a baseball bat, apparently.

Erceg hits like a Ford Escort confirmed!

 

[fortheo]

That's encouraging to hear. I honestly don't know much about him but people were hyping up his boxing like crazy and he for sure can crack and is willing to engage but also left himself quite open for counters.

What kind of a grappler is he? Wrestler or BJJ guy?

Both. He's a very well rounded grappler. I fear this might be too soon for him and wonder how he'll handle the spotlight of a huge crowd in a championship fight. It reminds me a bit of horiguchi being rushed to face mighty mouse.

Hopefully the moment doesnt get to erceg.

 

[jk7707]

I picked Schnell over Erceg, but when Erceg KO'd him with the most average-looking punches in the history of the world, I knew Schnell was ready for retirement.

Now those average-looking punches have morphed into shots with a baseball bat, apparently.

Erceg hits like a Ford Escort confirmed!

Schnell has been ko'd in 5 of his 8 losses. Dude has an Overeem level chin at 125. That itself is impressive.

Erceg has looked impressive, but the step up in competition from who he's been fighting, to Pantoja is the size of the Grand Canyon. He's going to get savaged in this fight.

 

[Siver!]

Schnell has been ko'd in 5 of his 8 losses. Dude has an Overeem level chin at 125. That itself is impressive.

Erceg has looked impressive, but the step up in competition from who he's been fighting, to Pantoja is the size of the Grand Canyon. He's going to get savaged in this fight.

Maybe flyweight is the one division guys can make those huge jumps, but I kindly doubt it!

 

[Danespina]

If Pantoja is up for it, I could see Mokaev getting the next title shot on August 3rd in Abu Dhabi.

 

[Siver!]

If Pantoja is up for it, I could see Mokaev getting the next title shot on August 3rd in Abu Dhabi.

That would be the best outcome!

Pantoja embarking on a run of title defences in succession, cementing his legacy!

Erceg in isolation is a weird one, but in context it might end up being cool af.

 

[svmr_db]

Lol imagine the amount of people who will be saying "Who?!?" if this is the main event and they have no clue who Erceg is. It would've been just as bad if Horiguchi was signed & immediately put into a title fight like some of you guys were dreaming about. <Lmaoo>