SUMMARY
- Alexandre Pantoja is set to defend his UFC Flyweight Title against #10 ranked fighter Steve Erceg.
- There were more deserving title contenders than Erceg in the division.
The UFC has announced that Alexandre Pantoja will be defending his UFC Flyweight Championship against #10 ranked fighter Steve Erceg. Although Erceg has an impressive pro-MMA record, it hasn’t even been a year since he joined the UFC. Giving a title fight to Erceg is absurd.
Alexandre Pantoja won the title after defeating Brandon Moreno in July last year. He defended the title for the first time against Brandon Royval in December 2023. His second title defense has been set up against Australian fighter Erceg.
Wheels up to Rio ✈️
The flyweight belt is up for grabs 🏆
Presale info: https://t.co/KhR1ww7s1q | #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/pxIQM9PXfm
— UFC (@ufc) March 15, 2024
The Aussie held a 9-1 record before joining the UFC. He fought and won at UFC 289, UFC 295, and UFC Fight Night 238. His only main card bout was at the fight night and it was the first fight on the card. He has suddenly skyrocketed and earned a title shot at UFC 301 in Brazil. Also, the fight, which is the only title fight announced for the event until now, is expected to headline the PPV.
Credits to Erceg, he has been impressive in his short UFC career. His striking and grappling both have been effective. However, he has not tested out against a big-name opponent in the division to earn a title fight yet.
Who could have challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC Flyweight Championship?
Alexandre Pantoja has been insanely impressive in his UFC career. He has defeated many of the top-ranked fighters in the division including Moreno, Royval, Manel Kape, and Alex Perez.
The #UFCVegas91 Main Event is locked in 🔒@NicolauMatheus vs @ManelKape Saturday, April 27th! pic.twitter.com/YW4naI7yqk
— UFC (@ufc) March 13, 2024
Two fighters could have promised a more exciting and competitive fight. First, Manel Kape. Yes, it would have been a rematch but Kape is an exciting fighter and has proven quality. He was on a four-fight win streak in the division and could have been a good pick for the title fight.
However, it seems like he dug his own grave. Kape missed weight for his fight against Matheus Nicolau in January and the fight was postponed for April. If he had made weight and defeated Nicolau there would have been no doubts about the title shot. He clearly fumbled the bag.
Got more finishes than Ercegs fights in the UFC 😉 just facts!
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 15, 2024
Second, Muhammad Mokaev. The man is livid on X since the title fight has been announced. He wanted it badly and seemingly he deserved it as well. The unbeaten fighter has fought against two fighters who are in the top 10 rankings. Unlike Erceg who has not fought anyone inside the top 10.
Don’t get me wrong there’s no hate on Pantoja and Erceg
2 top fighters who just doing their job , they don’t make fights , as much as I know…
I just wanna fight with the best fighters in the world and challenge myself! That’s why I’m in UFC
Already beat 2 ex title contenders…— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) March 16, 2024
Erceg might be a good fight but it is an absurd decision to give him the title fight. Even he may have not expected it. However, UFC has been doing this for a while now. Colby Covington’s undeserved title shot at UFC 296 was followed by Marlon Vera’s undeserved title shot at UFC 299. Both fights were heavily one-sided. With Alexandre Pantoja’s experience, a similar outcome is expected in the UFC 301 title shot as well.
