UFC 301 News: Champ Alexandre Pantoja Pitted Against Overlooked Flyweight Contender
Alexandre Pantoja's next title defense has been locked in.
Who won the flyweight sweepstakes? Well, it's probably not who you thought it'd be as #10 ranked contender Steve Erceg ultimately got the call to face the champion at UFC 301 on May 4th.
The promotion announced the title fight on Friday, following an initial report by The West Australian. Pantoja vs. Erceg will take place from Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
There wasn't ton of options for Brazil's reigning and defending champ Pantoja, who's coming off a rather dominant decision victory over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 in December
Despite going 0-2 against Pantoja, Royval called for a trilogy fight with his rival after outworking Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico last month.
The unbeaten Muhammad Mokaev was also in the running for Pantoja's next title defense and like Royval, the 23 year-old was open to a quick turnaround at UFC 301 after defeating Alex Perez in a lackluster performance.
With all that said, the UFC looked on to 'Astroboy' to save the day.
Erceg (12-1) was given the opportunity of a lifetime after he knocked out Matt Schnell just a few weeks ago at UFC Vegas 87.
The 28 year-old enters his first world title fight on a seven-fight win streak with three of those coming inside the UFC Octagon.
It's a massive leap in competition for Erceg as he meets the highly-touted 'Cannibal.'
Pantoja hasn't lost a fight in nearly four years. The American Top Team product had a career resurgence in recent years, capturing the flyweight title from former foe Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July.
Several contenders in the top 15 have already suffered defeat to Pantoja and he looks to add Steve Erceg's name to his ever-growing resume at UFC 301.
There is no word as of yet if this flyweight title fight will headline the UFC's return to Brazil.
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