Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg face off for the first time before their title fight at UFC 301

First look between Alexandre Pantoja It is Steve Erceg (Photo: Buda Mendes/UFC Disclosure)

UFC flyweight champion (up to 56.7 kg) Alexandre Pantoja and the Australian Steve Erceg they came face to face for the first time this Monday (29). Pantoja and Erceg face each other this Saturday (4) in the main fight of UFC 301, which takes place at FARMASI ARENA, in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro. The first look took place in one of the most iconic spots in the Marvelous City: Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar.

Alexandre Pantoja won the belt in July last year by defeating the then champion Brandon Moreno after a five-round battle and, in December, he defended his title for the first time against Brandon Royval. In the UFC since 2017, the Brazilian has been on a five-fight winning streak and holds the records for the number of wins and submissions in the Ultimate flyweight division among active athletes.

Steve Erceg is a young Australian promise. At 28 years old, the current tenth ranked UFC flyweight has never been knocked out or submitted. His only defeat in his MMA career came in 2017, in his second professional fight. Since then, he has racked up 11 consecutive victories – the last of which came with a knockout over Matt Schnell, which earned him the Performance of the Night bonus. Steve is now looking to spoil the party in Rio de Janeiro looking for a new belt for Australia.

The last tickets for the UFC^®301: PANTOJA x ERCEG are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com.br/event/ufc-301-venda-geral. In addition to the flyweight title fight, the event will also feature 14 other electrifying fights, including the return of the King of Rio, José Aldoto the UFC Octagon after almost two years.