At UFC 301, Steve Erceg faced Alexandre Pantoja in a highly anticipated Flyweight Championship bout. Despite Erceg’s valiant effort, Pantoja emerged victorious, securing a unanimous decision win.
Erceg’s performance, however, earned him recognition, as he was the number 10-ranked contender in the 125-pound division prior to the fight. Many expect Erceg’s ranking to rise following his commendable showing against the champion.
While some fans argue that Erceg was unjustly denied the title, former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker disagrees. On the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker expressed his opinion on the outcome of the Pantoja vs. Erceg fight, dismissing any controversy surrounding it. Despite his personal desire to see fellow Australian Erceg claim the title, Whittaker believes Pantoja rightfully earned the victory.
Whittaker elaborated on his perspective by detailing how he scored the fight. According to him, Pantoja convincingly won the first three rounds, while Erceg claimed the fourth. The fifth round, Whittaker noted, could have swung either way. He also critiqued Erceg’s finishing moments in the fight, suggesting that ending on one’s back is not ideal in terms of impressing judges.
Despite the disappointment evident in Erceg’s demeanor after the fight, his performance positions him as a notable contender in the flyweight division. With time, it remains to be seen who Erceg will be matched up against next as he continues to pursue championship opportunities.
