UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja Retains Title in Bloody Battle with Steve Erceg

Hometown Hero Prevails in Gritty Fight

UFC 301, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 4, 2024, witnessed a thrilling and bloody battle between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. Pantoja, the hometown hero, emerged victorious, retaining his title in a valiant display of determination.

Fight Summary

The fight was a back-and-forth affair, with both fighters landing significant strikes. Erceg started strongly but Pantoja weathered the storm and began to assert his dominance in the later rounds. In the fourth round, Pantoja took the fight to the ground and secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Erceg to tap out.

Pantoja's victory was a testament to his resilience and skill. Despite suffering a cut above his eye in the first round, he refused to give up and ultimately secured the win in front of his home crowd.