UFC 301 promises an exciting clash with high stakes for both fighters. Pantoja aims to defend his title on home soil, while Erceg looks to upset the champion and claim the flyweight crown. With each fighter bringing distinct advantages to the Octagon, this main event is not just a test of skill but also of strategy and endurance.

Overview

Event: UFC 301
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024

Latest Odds: UFC 301 Odds at BetOnline
Location: Farmasi Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Broadcast Schedule:

• Early Prelims: 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+
• Prelims: 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+
• Main Card: 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV

The UFC is set to light up Brazil with a streaming pay-per-view event, marking the organization’s return to Brazil for the first time in over a year.

The headline event will feature a flyweight title bout between reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Steve Erceg.

Competitor Backgrounds

Alexandre Pantoja (-240)

• Record: 27-5
• UFC Record: 11-3
• Current Streak: Five wins
• Notable Achievements: Current UFC flyweight champion, winning the title in July 2023 and defending it successfully in December of the same year.

Steve Erceg (+205)

• Record: 12-1
• UFC Record: 3-0
• Current Streak: Eleven wins
• Notable Achievements: Rising star from Perth, Australia, boasting a recent knockout victory that earned him a title shot.

Betting

Alexandre Pantoja

Pantoja has proven his mettle in the UFC with a solid record and impressive fight statistics. Known for his endurance and relentless pace, Pantoja combines striking with a strong grappling game, often utilizing his ability to control fights on the ground.

He averages 4.32 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated a high takedown efficiency with a 49 percent success rate.

Steve Erceg

Despite fewer fights in the UFC, Erceg has made a significant impact with his striking prowess and knockout power, particularly noted in his recent “Performance of the Night” victory. As a striker, Erceg thrives at range and in counter-striking scenarios, which could pose a challenge for Pantoja.

His relative inexperience in five-round fights and lower takedown defense might be areas of concern against a seasoned opponent like Pantoja.

Head to Head Stats

Alexandre Pantoja		Steve Erceg
27-5-0	Record	12-1-0
5′ 5″	Height	5′ 8″
125 lbs	Weight	126 lbs
67.5″	Reach	68″
Orthodox	Stance	Orthodox
4.32	Sig Strk LPM	4.57
53.70	Sig Strk Acc	51.60
2.20	Takedown Average	1.69
48.08	Takedown Accuracy	30.77
0.97	Submission Average	0.85

Best Bets

Considering the fighters’ strengths and recent performances, betting interests might lean towards Pantoja for his experience and ground control capabilities. A good bet could be for Pantoja to secure a victory by submission in the latter rounds of the fight, leveraging his superior grappling skills and stamina.

Alternatively, for those seeking higher risk and reward, betting on Erceg as an underdog could offer value, particularly if he manages to maintain distance and leverage his striking skills to secure a KO.