UFC 301 is finally in the books and it was quite an entertaining card. What it lacked in star power, the event more than made up for it through the entertaining fights. Perhaps the best fight of the night came in the main event, between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. Many stated that Erceg did not deserve a chance based on merit. Erceg proved them wrong as he gave Pantoja a serious run for his money inside the Jeunesse Arena.
After the five rounds, the judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. While the first two cards from Fabio Alves and Sal D’amato are justifiable, the 49-46 scorecard from David Tirelli has generated a lot of discussions online. Many feel that the scorecard did not accurately represent the bout at all. As per Tirelli’s scorecard, Erceg only won the fourth round.
#UFC301 Official Scorecard: Alexandre Pantoja (@PantojaMMA) vs Steve Erceg 👇
— UFC News (@UFCNews) May 5, 2024
All Tonight’s Scorecards ➡️:https://t.co/B6cucris6J pic.twitter.com/LmYSmBIFFp
However, the former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill scored the fight much differently. Hill added that he thought Erceg won rounds 2, 3, and 4. However, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson thought the judges got it right. However, Cage Titans champion Joe Joe Giannetti was absolutely adamant that Steve “Astroboy” Erceg won the contest. As per him, the judgment has set a “bad precedent.”
Here are some reactions on the matter
Valiant effort by Erceg! Nothing to be upset about. Pantoja is relentless! I have pantoja 3-2 #ufc301
— “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) May 5, 2024
I got it 3-2 for the champ but a hell of a performance by the Dunder Mifflin GM 👏🏻 #ufc301
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) May 5, 2024
It’s decisions like that in the ultimate FIGHTING championship that just set such a bad precedent for what up & coming fighters need to do(or not do) to win. And they’ll do it because their pay is on the line. It is going to cause more lackluster fighters & and fewer stars in the…
— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) May 5, 2024
2,3 and 4 I think went to the challenger
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) May 5, 2024
Erceg flowing now. Could be 2-2 all tied up. Tough to tell. #ufc301
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 5, 2024
Like any close fight, the opinion seems to be split amongst the fighting community. So how did the fight look on paper in terms of the numbers? Let’s find out.
Was Steve Erceg robbed against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301?
The UFC flyweight title fight at UFC 301 between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg is a prime example of why fans should not take any championship fight lightly. As per UFC Stats, Pantoja landed a total of 143 strikes (125 significant strikes) and Erceg landed 129 strikes (111 significant strikes). In terms of grappling, the reigning champion Pantoja secured 9 takedowns and the Australian fighter only managed 1.
“The Cannibal” was also in control of the grappling exchanges for 8:15 minutes. At the same time, Pantoja only controlled 32 seconds. So, on paper, there is no doubt that the judges got the verdict right. However, things get slightly muddier if fans take a look at what happened inside the Octagon. The striking from Erceg quite clearly made a lot more of an impact than Pantoja’s.
THE UNDISPUTED FLYWEIGHT CHAMP 🏆@PantojaMMA | #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/Qupy4jM2LT
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2024
While neither fighter scored a knockdown in the contest, the Aussie was more nimble on the feet and inflicted more damage. In terms of round-by-round breakdown, Pantoja outstruck Erceg in three of the five rounds. In round 1, the champ managed 30 significant strikes as opposed to the challenger’s 17 significant strikes. So was the case in rounds 3 and 5 as well. In those rounds, Pantoja managed 34 and 15 significant strikes in total, whereas Erceg managed 22 and 13 significant strikes in rounds 3 and 5 respectively.
The case was different in rounds 2 and 4 where Steve Erceg managed more significant strikes (28 and 31 strikes respectively) than Alexandre Pantoja (23 strikes each in both rounds). From the scoring, it feels like the grappling exchanges are what made the difference in the end. However, it still does not justify the 49-46 scorecard from David Tirelli. Do you agree with the scoring? Let us know in the comments below.
