by Will Rogers
Sunday, Apr 28, 2024Pantoja vs. Erceg will take place on May 4, 2024, at the Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It may not be as star-studded as UFC 300 but it promises to still be an exciting event. Let's take a closer look at this week's two biggest matches.
The Main Event
Pantoja -205
Erceg +170
Total: 3.5 over -125
Flyweight champion Alexandre "The Cannibal" Pantoja has won five straight fights and is 27-5 for his career. Steve "Astro Boy" Erceg is off 11 straight victories and is 12-1 for his career, 3-0 in the UFC. Erceg's record is certainly impressive but he hasn't been fighting top level competition. With recent wins against Royval (twice) and Moreno, Pantoja has been taking on some of the best in the division. This will be his second title defense.
Pantoja is from Brazil. So, this fight is in his own backyard. Erceg is from Australia. While he recently delivered an impressive knockout, many are questioning how the relatively unknown Erceg, the #10 contender, even got a title shot. Pantoja is extremely tough and he's a great grappler. However, Erceg may have the advantage when the fighters are on their feet.
Erceg had this to say: "Yeah, I just think I'm going to pick him apart. That being said, it’s not like I'm going to be able to stay on the outside the whole time. I fully expect him to find ways to get to the grappling, that sort of thing. But I’m no chump there. I’m also a black belt. Before people started calling me a knockout guy cause I had one knockout I was a ‘grappler’ in the UFC so I’m fully confident in my skills on the ground and in the grapple and I think I separate myself with the striking technique."
Prediction: Pantoja's grappling and his experience probably tip the scales in his favor. Erceg seems to be the real deal though and an upset wouldn't totally surprise. I'm not touching this one but am excited to watch what should be an exciting and closer than expected battle.
The Co-Main Event
Jonathan Martinez-162
Jose Aldo +136
Total 2.5 over -315, under +230
Jose "Junior" Aldo is in familiar territory. After all, the decorated veteran, making his return from a brief UFC retirement, is known as "The King of Rio." Aldo has had a few boxing matches since last fighting in the Octagon.
Aldo (31-8) is a legend and has fought the best of the best. He's also 37 years old and his last UFC fight was a (decision) loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. Prior to that, he'd won three straight. However, those three victories were preceded by three straight losses. So, he's only 3-4 since a loss to Volkanovski in May of 2019.
Jonathan "Dragon" Martinez, 30 years old, has a 19-4 record. Off six straight victories, he hasn't lost a fight since March of 2021.
Known for being a leg kick specialist, Aldo will get a taste of his own medicine. Martinez is also known for his dangerous leg kicks. In fact, he's ended two of his last three fights by leg-kick TKO.
Aldo was quoted as saying: “He’s a very tough opponent, and I think he has what, two wins by leg kicks? I’m a specialist at what I do, and you’re always going to face people that do the same thing that you do, but that’s what I’m known for, my leg kicks."
Prediction: Aldo probably isn't what he used to be but beating the Brazllian legend on the scorecards in Rio won't be easy. Martinez knows a stoppage avoids worrying about the judges. At a huge underdog return, take a look at the under 2.5 rounds.
The Main Event
Pantoja -205
Erceg +170
Total: 3.5 over -125
Flyweight champion Alexandre "The Cannibal" Pantoja has won five straight fights and is 27-5 for his career. Steve "Astro Boy" Erceg is off 11 straight victories and is 12-1 for his career, 3-0 in the UFC. Erceg's record is certainly impressive but he hasn't been fighting top level competition. With recent wins against Royval (twice) and Moreno, Pantoja has been taking on some of the best in the division. This will be his second title defense.
Pantoja is from Brazil. So, this fight is in his own backyard. Erceg is from Australia. While he recently delivered an impressive knockout, many are questioning how the relatively unknown Erceg, the #10 contender, even got a title shot. Pantoja is extremely tough and he's a great grappler. However, Erceg may have the advantage when the fighters are on their feet.
Erceg had this to say: "Yeah, I just think I'm going to pick him apart. That being said, it’s not like I'm going to be able to stay on the outside the whole time. I fully expect him to find ways to get to the grappling, that sort of thing. But I’m no chump there. I’m also a black belt. Before people started calling me a knockout guy cause I had one knockout I was a ‘grappler’ in the UFC so I’m fully confident in my skills on the ground and in the grapple and I think I separate myself with the striking technique."
Prediction: Pantoja's grappling and his experience probably tip the scales in his favor. Erceg seems to be the real deal though and an upset wouldn't totally surprise. I'm not touching this one but am excited to watch what should be an exciting and closer than expected battle.
The Co-Main Event
Jonathan Martinez-162
Jose Aldo +136
Total 2.5 over -315, under +230
Jose "Junior" Aldo is in familiar territory. After all, the decorated veteran, making his return from a brief UFC retirement, is known as "The King of Rio." Aldo has had a few boxing matches since last fighting in the Octagon.
Aldo (31-8) is a legend and has fought the best of the best. He's also 37 years old and his last UFC fight was a (decision) loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. Prior to that, he'd won three straight. However, those three victories were preceded by three straight losses. So, he's only 3-4 since a loss to Volkanovski in May of 2019.
Jonathan "Dragon" Martinez, 30 years old, has a 19-4 record. Off six straight victories, he hasn't lost a fight since March of 2021.
Known for being a leg kick specialist, Aldo will get a taste of his own medicine. Martinez is also known for his dangerous leg kicks. In fact, he's ended two of his last three fights by leg-kick TKO.
Aldo was quoted as saying: “He’s a very tough opponent, and I think he has what, two wins by leg kicks? I’m a specialist at what I do, and you’re always going to face people that do the same thing that you do, but that’s what I’m known for, my leg kicks."
Prediction: Aldo probably isn't what he used to be but beating the Brazllian legend on the scorecards in Rio won't be easy. Martinez knows a stoppage avoids worrying about the judges. At a huge underdog return, take a look at the under 2.5 rounds.
