Tag: Steve Erceg

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg in UFC 301 title fight in Brazil

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg at UFC 301Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an…

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg at UFC 301

Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an impressive betting favorite to defeat surging division contender, Steve Erceg in the pair’s title offing in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

Pantoja, the current undisputed flyweight champion, has been sidelined since last December, landing an impressive decision win over recent UFC Mexico City headliner, Brandon Royval in the duo’s championship rematch.

Pantoja title UFC 290

As for Erceg, the three-fight promotional veteran cracked the flyweight top ten at the beginning of the month, landing a blistering knockout win over Matt Schnell – which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, and subsequently, he is first title siege.

Alexandre Pantoja opens as favorite to beat Steve Erceg

And with betting lines officially on offer for UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja is currently riding an impressive -258 betting favorite line over the +210 betting underdog, Steve Erceg ahead of their title showdown at the Jeunesse Arena. 

A host of betting sites and markets are already offering odds on Pantoja’s title fight return to his native Brazil against Erceg, and punters can also play their favorite slot games and other betting games – which includes the chance to play a Big Bamboo Demo game whilst punting on May’s return to South America for the UFC. 

Striking championship spoils back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Pantoja, the current number ten ranked pound-for-pound ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion – did so with a third career win over former two-time champion, Brandon Moreno.

Extending his impressive winning spree to five straight fights with his title defense win over Royval back in December, Pantoja turned in prior submission wins over Alex Perez, and Royval before that – to go with a decision success against the highly-touted Angolan-born contender, Manel Kape. 

Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports

Improving to 12-1 as a professional with his knockout win over Schnell, Western Australia prospect, Erceg had landed a pair of victories against both David Dvorak and Alessandro Costa in his first two outings under the banner of the UFC – making his debut just last summer in June. 

Fighting for gold in May, Erceg’s involvement at UFC 301 will come as a swift title charge for the Perth-born contender, who will be just eleven months deep into his tenure with the promotion by the time he faces Pantoja later this year in Brazil. 

Along with Pantoja’s championship fight against Erceg at UFC 301, over the weekend, reports confirmed that former undisputed featherweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo would be snapping his almost two-year retirement from the sport in a bantamweight fight against Jonathan Martinez.

Jose Aldo snaps retirement set to fight at UFC 301 against Jonathan Martinez in Brazil
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Aldo, a fan-favorite striker and the promotion’s inaugural featherweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to surging number one ranked bantamweight contender, Merab Dvalishvili – snapping a three-fight winning spree against Rob Font, Pedro Munhoz, and a decision win over most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera – who challenged for gold just earlier this month at UFC 299 against the incumbent, Sean O’Malley. 

Who wins at UFC 301 in May: Alexandre Pantoja or Steve Erceg?

Official – Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4

Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4Undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja is set for his return to the Octagon later this summer – on home…

Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4

Undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja is set for his return to the Octagon later this summer – on home soil in a title fight defense against current number ten ranked contende, Australia’s Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on May 4. in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the Jeunesse Arena.

Pantoja, the current undisputed flyweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 296 back in December, successfully defending his title in a rematch win over recent UFC Mexico City headliner, Brandon Royval – in turn lodging his first successful title defense.

Pantoja title UFC 290

As for Erceg, the three-fight Octagon veteran appears to have earned his first crack at organizational gold off the back of a second round KO win over Matt Schnell earlier this month at UFC Vegas 87 – which also landed him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Alexandre Pantoja meets Steve Erceg at UFC 301

The promotion’s official UFC Brasil account confirmed the pairing of Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg for the May pay-per-view card in South America this Friday night.

Alexandre Pantoja UFC Sergei Belski USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2019; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Deiveson Figueriredo (blue gloves) and Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) during UFC 240 at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

“Main fight confirmed,” the UFC Brasil account posted tonight, as translated by Google Translate. “The flyweight champion @PantojaMMA fights at home and defends his belt against Steve Erceg at #UFC301, in Rio de Janeiro.” 

Initially winning gold back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Pantoja turned in another career win over defending champion, Brandon Moreno, to land the championship in a split decision success. 

Steve Erceg

The victory came as part of an impressive current five fight winning run for Rio native, Pantoja, who previously landed wins over Alex Perez, the above-mentioned, Royval, and a decision success against the highly-touted, Manel Kape. 

12-1 as a professional, submission expert, Erceg landed in the Dana White-led promotion back in June of last year with a decision win over David Dvorak, before besting Alessandro Costa at UFC 295 in another judging win in Madison Square Garden in November last – prior to his knockout of Schnell earlier this month.

Who leaves Brazil with gold after UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja or Steve Erceg?

UFC referee Chris Tognoni roasts Matt Schnell following brutal knockout loss to Steve Erceg

UFC Vegas 87Matt Schnell was on the wrong side of one of UFC Vegas 87’s most brutal knockouts. Just 26 seconds…

UFC Vegas 87

Matt Schnell was on the wrong side of one of UFC Vegas 87’s most brutal knockouts.

Just 26 seconds into the second round, Schnell’s opponent, Steve Erceg, unleashed a hellacious left that instantly sent ‘Danger’ crashing to the canvas. Perhaps more brutal than the final blow was the sound of Schnell’s head bouncing off the canvas.

The KO earned Erceg a well-deserved $50,000 performance bonus. Sadly, all Schnell got for his trouble was being roasted by referee Chris Tognoni who was assigned to the main card opener.

“Man, I’m not sure what was worse, the punch or you hitting your head on the canvas, man,” Tognoni said while patting Schnell on the chest. “You’ll see on the film.”

“Did you hear it?” he asked Schnell’s corner, who responded with a small nod.

Though the subject of some criticism in the past, Tognoni has proven himself to be a competent referee, for the most part, and likely meant well with his comments. However, his poor choice of words and/or delivery made it seem like he was sh*t-talking Schnell seconds after his soul was separated from his body.

A 13-fight veteran of the UFC, Matt Schnell has now lost three of his last four bouts inside the Octagon, the lone win coming against Sumudaerji via second-round submission in July 2022.

As for Steve Erceg, the Aussie standout is now 3-0 since signing with the promotion last year. In addition to his victory inside The APEX on Saturday, ‘Astro Boy’ has also scored wins over David Dvo?ák and Alessandro Costa.

UFC referee Chris Tognoni roasts Matt Schnell following brutal knockout loss to Steve Erceg

UFC Vegas 87Matt Schnell was on the wrong side of one of UFC Vegas 87’s most brutal knockouts. Just 26 seconds…

UFC Vegas 87

Matt Schnell was on the wrong side of one of UFC Vegas 87’s most brutal knockouts.

Just 26 seconds into the second round, Schnell’s opponent, Steve Erceg, unleashed a hellacious left that instantly sent ‘Danger’ crashing to the canvas. Perhaps more brutal than the final blow was the sound of Schnell’s head bouncing off the canvas.

The KO earned Erceg a well-deserved $50,000 performance bonus. Sadly, all Schnell got for his trouble was being roasted by referee Chris Tognoni who was assigned to the main card opener.

“Man, I’m not sure what was worse, the punch or you hitting your head on the canvas, man,” Tognoni said while patting Schnell on the chest. “You’ll see on the film.”

“Did you hear it?” he asked Schnell’s corner, who responded with a small nod.

Though the subject of some criticism in the past, Tognoni has proven himself to be a competent referee, for the most part, and likely meant well with his comments. However, his poor choice of words and/or delivery made it seem like he was sh*t-talking Schnell seconds after his soul was separated from his body.

A 13-fight veteran of the UFC, Matt Schnell has now lost three of his last four bouts inside the Octagon, the lone win coming against Sumudaerji via second-round submission in July 2022.

As for Steve Erceg, the Aussie standout is now 3-0 since signing with the promotion last year. In addition to his victory inside The APEX on Saturday, ‘Astro Boy’ has also scored wins over David Dvo?ák and Alessandro Costa.

Steve Erceg scores brutal walk-off KO of Matt Schnell 26 seconds into second round – UFC Vegas 87 Highlights

Steve ErcegAussie standout Steve Erceg scored his fourth straight win inside the Octagon with a walk-off knockout of Matt Schnell…

Steve Erceg

Aussie standout Steve Erceg scored his fourth straight win inside the Octagon with a walk-off knockout of Matt Schnell in the UFC Vegas 87 main card opener on Saturday.

‘Astro Boy’ entered the contest as a massive -455 favorite and immediately showed why in the opening round, bloodying up Schnell with a brilliant bit of boxing. With Schnell unable to compete on the feet, it felt like it was just a matter of time before Erceg landed the finishing blow.

As it turns out, he didn’t have to wait long.

Less than 30 seconds into the second stanza, Erceg uncorked a massive left hand that caught Shnell on the button and immediately rendered him unconscious.

Official Result: Steve Erceg def. Matt Schnell via KO (strikes) at 0:26 of Round 2.

‘Astro Boy’ moved to 12-1 in his mixed martial arts career with eight of his victories coming by way of finish.

Check Out Highlights From Steve Erceg vs. Matt Schell at UFC Vegas 87:

Muhammad Mokaev Has Little Sympathy For Steve Erceg After UFC 305 Knockout: ‘That’s What You Get For Lying!’

Former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev appeared to enjoy watching Steve Erceg experience a difficult night at the office this past weekend. Erceg was among the home fighters in action at the UFC 305 pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia, taking to the Octagon amid crowd adoration inside the RAC Arena. Unfortunately for the recent flyweight title […]

Continue Reading Muhammad Mokaev Has Little Sympathy For Steve Erceg After UFC 305 Knockout: ‘That’s What You Get For Lying!’ at MMA News.

Former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev appeared to enjoy watching Steve Erceg experience a difficult night at the office this past weekend.

Erceg was among the home fighters in action at the UFC 305 pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia, taking to the Octagon amid crowd adoration inside the RAC Arena. Unfortunately for the recent flyweight title challenger, he joined the likes of Tai Tuivasa and Junior Tafa on the list of unsuccessful Aussies on fight night.

“AstroBoy’s” co-main event opposite Kai Kara-France didn’t reach the first horn, with the New Zealander earning a quick knockout to complete his emphatic return to action Down Under.

The difficult result for Erceg came just three months on from a competitive battle with champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 in Brazil, where he came inches away from upsetting the odds and capturing the flyweight gold.

But Erceg has now had his pursuit of a second title opportunity quickly stalled, and Mokaev, for one, seems to be taking joy from that fact…

Mokaev Cries Karma After Erceg Flattened By Kara-France At UFC 305

While Erceg isn’t one for trash talk and heated feuds, he did recently get on the wrong side of Mokaev after giving his take on the Dagestan-born Brit’s sudden UFC exit.

After the promotion chose not to re-sign “The Punisher, with Dana White citing issues away from the cage, Erceg claimed that Mokaev had displayed disrespectful behavior toward UFC staff.

The free agent was quick to dismiss those allegations, and he reiterated that Erceg is a ‘liar’ while reacting to an image of the Aussie following his first knockdown at the hands of Kara-France at UFC 305.

‘That’s what u get for lying,” Mokaev wrote.

After this past weekend’s result, Erceg has slipped to #8 in the flyweight rankings. Mokaev, meanwhile, lost his place high up the pecking order following the completion of his contract at UFC 304 in Manchester, where he got the better of Manel Kape in a lackluster affair.

Continue Reading Muhammad Mokaev Has Little Sympathy For Steve Erceg After UFC 305 Knockout: ‘That’s What You Get For Lying!’ at MMA News.