UFC 301 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided a live play-by-play and official results. UFC 301 (Pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+) took place Saturday at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
In the main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC), a native of Rio, defended his flyweight title against Australia’s Steve Erceg (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who got a title shot less than a year after he debuted in the promotion.
In the co-feature, former featherweight champ Jose Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC) returned from a short retirement to fight out his UFC contract and beat Jonathan Martinez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC).
You can checkout the play-by-play and official results for UFC 301 below:
Kevin Borjas vs. Alessandro Costa
Round 1 – Big one, two by Costa. Another big combo by Costa. Borjas is still marching forward. Leg kick by Costa. Costa closes the distance, briefly clinches and then lands an elbow on the break. Borjas seems a bit gun shy here. Two minutes left. Good defense here by Borjas, as he moves away from a combo from Costa. Borjas is bleeding from his ear. Good jab by Borjas. Oh! Big left stuns Borjas! They’re throwing down. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Costa.
Round 2 – Costa all over Borjas here. Massive leg kicks are hurting Borjas. Costa drops Borjas with a leg kick. Nasty combos by Costa. Borjas is taking a beating here. Costa moves to mount. Nasty ground-and-pound. It’s over! Impressive win by Costa.
Result: Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 1:35
Recap: Alessandro Costa chops down Kevin Borjas with leg kicks to set up TKO
Photos: Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Costa (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Borjas (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Joao Claudio Soares
Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
Round 1 – Pichel with a heavy leg kick attack. Pichel is staying on the outside, looking to land leg kicks. Bonfim with a few of his own. Good jabs by Bonfim. Oh! Nasty body shot by Bonfim. Pichel eats it well. Bonfim is landing big here. Oh! A big head kick partially lands for Bonfim. Pichel is not throwing much. A takedown attempt from Bonfim in the final seconds, but ends on bottom. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim.
Round 2 – Bonfim attacking immediately. Nice combo from Bonfim! The pace has slowed down a ton here. Low output from both. Jabs by Bonfim. Good one, two by Pichel. A big right lands clean for Bonfim! It looks like Pichel is hurt a bit. Bonfim upping the pressure. Two minutes left. Bonfim backs Pichel to the cage and lands a nasty combo. Great chin on Pichel. A right hook lands for Bonfim. Bonfim loses his balance on a combo and Pichel ends on top. The bell rings almost immediately.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim.
Round 3 – Pichel comes out more aggressive, looking to make up for lost ground. Bonfim countering well. A lot more power being thrown by Pichel, but Bonfim still getting the better of the shots. Oh! Big left hook from Bonfim hurts Pichel. He recovers, but Bonfim is still on attack mode. Two minutes left. Bonfim with a clean right now. Pichel brawling a bit here, trying to create some magic. One minute left. Oh! Big combo by Bonfim. Bonfim shoots and gets the takedown. He’s landing shots from top while in Pichel’s guard. Bonfim now stands up and starts kicking Pichel’s legs. Pichel shoots and presses Bonfim against the cage. Shots from Bonfim, as he’s getting controlled. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Bonfim. Overall 30-27, Bonfim.
Result: Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Bonfim (20-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Pichel (14-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Rafael Ferreira, Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby 30-27.
Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
Round 1 – Kareckaite pressuring the much shorter Barbosa here. Body kick by Barbosa. Oh! Massive right by Barbosa. Kareckaite was stunned for a little. Leg kick by Barbosa. More leg kicks from Barbosa. Kareckaite has yet to land anything clean. Barbosa shoots and gets the takedown. She immediately gets the back of Kareckaite! Body triangle! Kareckaite is in trouble. Barbosa landing some ground-and-pound, as she looks to set up the rear-naked choke. A minute and a half left. Barbosa slips and loses back control. She turns her mistake into an armbar, but it wasn’t tight, and the bell rang shortly after.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Barbosa.
Round 2 – Oh! Barbosa rocks Kareckaite with an elbow. She now presses Kareckaite against the cage. Good start to the round by Barbosa. Kareckaite shoots and takes down Kareckaite. Oh! Kareckaite with the reversal, but Barbosa pushes her off. Kareckaite now stands over Barbosa while kicking her legs. The crowd is booing. Big leg kicks by Kareckaite. After a few seconds, the referee stands them up. Nice one, two by Kareckaite. Barbosa looks a little tired. They scramble and Barbosa ends on bottom, attacking with a heel hook. Barbosa uses that to get Kareckaite’s back, but then loses it. Kareckaite on top now while in Barbosa’s guard. Some shots from Kareckaite. The bell rings. Close round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Kareckaite.
Round 3 – This fight is getting close after a dominant start by Barbosa. Barbosa shoots and Kareckaite stuffs the takedown. Big straight right by Kareckaite. Barbosa shoots again and comes up short. Kareckaite is taking the lead here. Kareckaite is walking down Brabosa. Three minutes left. One, two lands clean for Kareckaite Barbosa shoots and fails. Kareckaite is tagging her up. Not a ton of power from Kareckaite, but she’s landing. Right hand connects for Kareckaite. Two minutes left. Barbosa is slowing down here. She shoots for a takedown, gets it, but immediately gets reversed by Kareckaite. Barbosa now attacking with a leg lock from bottom. Kareckaite gets out. One minute left. Kareckaite kicking Brabosa’s legs while standing over her. They stand up. Kareckaite back with the pressure. Oh! Head kick lands for Kareckaite. Kareckaite is on fire. Barbosa shoots and fails. The bell ring.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Kareckaite. Overall 29-28, Kareckaite.
Result: Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Barbosa (7-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Kareckaite (5-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Fernando Portella
Judging: Fabio Alves, Sal D’Amato, David Tirelli 29-28.
Jamie Mullarkey vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Round 1 – Big leg kicks by Ruffy to get things started here. Ruffy is chasing here. Good jabs by Ruffy. Very low action fight so far. More jabs by Ruffy. Those are on point tonight. Mullarkey’s nose is bleeding. And a counter right for Ruffy. Two minutes left. Big shots by Ruffy! Things are heating up. Mullarkey with a few combos, but Ruffy dodging all of the shots. Big shot by Ruffy! He’s on point tonight. Oh! Ruffy wobbles Mullarkey! Big knee! Mullarkey falling all over the place while taking shots! It’s over! What a win!
Result: Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:42
Recap: Mauricio Ruffy explodes Jamie Mullarkey’s nose, beats him down for violent TKO
Photos: Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Ruffy (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Mullarkey (17-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Drakkar Klose vs. Joaquim Silva
Round 1 – Klose gets hit with a low blow from Silva. After a few seconds, the fight resumes. Klose pressuring Silva here. One, two by Klose. Klose closes the distance, tries to clinch Silva, but Silva breaks free. Klose back to pressuring Silva. Three minutes left. Nice right hand by Klose. Another one! Very low output from both, but when they throw it’s coming with power. They exchange hooks in close range. One minute left. Silva tags Klose. Good uppercut by Klose. Right hand by Klose. Klose presses Silva against the cage. They break free. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Klose.
Round 2 – Leg kickc by Silva. Klose gets Silva against the cage. Not much going on in terms of damage, but good control from Klose Foot stomps by Klose. The crowd is booing. Three minutes left. Klose still pressing Silva against the cage. Not much going on. A couple of short shots from both. Silva finally breaks free and lands a left hook. Two minutes left. Klose presses Silva again against the cage. The crowd is not happy. A couple of short shots land for Klose. Silva reverses the position and then breaks away. Good left by Klose and he presses Silva again against the cage. The crowd is booing. Knees to the body by Klose. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Klose.
Round 3 – Good jabs by Klose. Big connection by Silva. Silva is pressuing him, looking to land a big shot. A couple of hooks land for Silva. Klose on the backfoot. Jab by Klose. A left hook lands for Silva. He’s tagging up Klose . Klose staying behind his jab, while Silva chases. Klose shoots, but gets caught in a guillotine! It looks tight! Klose slams him backwards. Now Klose is on bottom while guillotined. He scrmables out. Oh! Silva stuns Klose. They scramble again and they end up getting back to their feet. Klose presses Silva against the cage. Nice elbow by Silva. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Silva. Overall 29-28, Klose.
Result: Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Klose (15-2-1 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Silva (13-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Rafael Ferreira, Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby 29-28.
Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Round 1 – Orolbai pressuing Brener here, not giving him much space. Oh! Nice counter by Brener. Orolbai tags Brener and then takes him down with ease. Orolbai working form guard. Brener scrambles his way out! Again Orolbai tags Brener and attemps a takedown. Brener is successful in his first attempt, but not in the second. Good shots from top by Orolbai. Good control by Orolbai. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Orolbai.
Round 2 – Leg kick by Brener. Oh! Brener gets tagged witha big right from Orolbai. He seems stunned. Orolbai presses him against the cage and then takes him down. Four minutes left. A couple of nice elbows by Orolbai. Heavy shots from Orolbai. Orolbai gets mount. Brener gets back to his feet, but is being pressed against the cage. He breaks free. Body kick by Orolbai. Orolbai shoots and presses Brener against the cage. Brener breaks free, but not for long. Orolbai closes the distance again and clinches him. Relentless pressure by Orolbai. Brenner breaks free. He’s being more effective with his takedown defense right now. Orolbai shoots, takes down Brener, but Brener reverses him and ends on mount! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Orolbai.
Round 3 – Man, Orolbai looks tired. Brener presses him and takes him down! Brener takes the back of Orolbai! Shots from top by Brener. Brener tries to takedown Orolbai, but Orolbai grabs the fence and avoids being taken down. The action continues, but the referee takes a point from Orolbai. Orolbai reverses the position and takes down Brener. Three minutes left. Orolbai puts Brener in a crusifix, but Brener gets out and gets top control. Now Orolbai gets out and they’re back to striking. They’re both exhausted. Big left lands for Orolbai. Leg kick by Brener. Left hooks lands for Orolbai. Orolbai drops Brener right before the bell rang.
MMA Junkie scores the round 9-9. Overall 29-27, Orolbai.
Result: Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Photos: Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Orolbai (13-1-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Brener (16-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Fernando Portella
Judging: Fabio Alves, Sal D’Amato, David Tirelli 29-27.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Round 1 – Good jab by Kowalkiewicz. Two big hooks land for Lucindo! They clinch and Lucindo drops two big knees. Lucindo has Kowalkiewicz on a front headlock now against the fence. She’s connecting a few knees to the head and body. Halfway through the round. Now Lucindo pressing Kowalkiewicz against the cage. Good control here by Lucindo, but little damage in the clinch. Kowalkiewicz breaks free. Good combo by Kowalkiewicz! Lucindo counters with a takedown. She goes straight to mount on Kowalkiewicz. Good shots from Lucindo. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lucindo.
Round 2 – Kowalkiewicz pressuring here. Big left hook by Lucindo. Leg kick by Lucindo. Leg kick by Kowalkiewicz. Good combo by Kowalkiewicz. Three minutes left. Both fighters a bit hesistant. Leg kick by Kowalkiewicz. Big connection by Lucindo. Big left hook by Lucindo. Lucindo showing more speed and power here compared to Kowalkiewicz. Knee to the head connects for Lucindo. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lucindo.
Round 3 – Lucindo closes the distance here. She presses Kowalkiewicz against the cage and gets the takedown. Kowalkiewicz is able to get back to her feet. Kowalkiewicz is bleeding a bit from the left side of her face. Good one, two by Kowalkiewicz. Leg kick by Kowalkiewicz. Lucindo closes the distance and presses Kowalkiewicz against the cage. Two minutes left. Kowalkiewicz tries to set up a leg lock, but fails and ends on bottom. One minute left. Lucindo working from guard. She lets Kowalkiewicz back up. Kowalkiewicz chasing here trying to get something going. A couple of big hooks rock Kowalkiewicz! The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Lucindo. Overall 30-27, Lucindo.
Result: Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Kowalkiewicz (16-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC), Lucindo (15-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Osiris Maia
Judging: Fabio Alves, Sal D’Amato, David Tirelli 30-27.
Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore
Round 1 – Man, a couple of nasty leg kicks by Brito. Brito is extremely agressive, pressuring Shore. Non-stop leg kicks by Brito. He’s landed a ton and it’s been justa minute. Shore’s leg is already banged up. Shore presses Brito against the cage, but gets reversed. Good control by Brito, but little damage. After a good minute, Brito breaks away. Back at attacking agressively is Brito. Shore clinches, but gets pressed against the cage by Brito. Two minutes left. They keep swaping positions against the fence. One minute left. Shore now controls Brito. Now Brito controls Shore. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Brito.
Round 2 – Immediately back to the clinch. Brito presses Shore against the cage. Knees to the legs from Brito. They break free. Leg kick by Brito. Brito presses Shore against the cage. Shore’s leg is swollen and bleeding. Knees to the leg by Brito. Good short shots by Brito. The fight is paused and the doctor is brought in to check on the cut on Shore’s shin. It looks bad and he’s bleeding a ton. It’s over. After checking it, the doctor has waived off the fight.
Result: Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 3:35
Recap: Joanderson Brito slices Jack Shore’s shin with leg kick to earn stoppage win
Photos: Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Brito (17-3-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), Shore (17-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN
Referee: Joao Claudio Soares
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig
Round 1 – They’re bit hesitant here. Craig looks for the clinch. He presses Borralho against the cage, tries to take him down and fails. Borralho breaks free, lands a hard one, two. Borralho is tagging up Craig with combinations. Craig has his chin up and just keeps getting tagged. Craig with a couple of failed takedowns here. Leg kick by Borralho. Craig lands a nice body kick. More kicks from Craig, but they get blocked by Borralho. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Borralho.
Round 2 – Body kick by Craig. Borralho is connecting at will gere. Craig keeps getting his head snapped back. He’s bleeding from his nose. Oh! Huge knee connects for Borralho, as Craig goes for a takedown. Craig goes down, but Borralho lets him back up. Big right hand for Borralho. Good chin on Craig. Three minutes left. Nice combo by Borralho. Craig is rocked and now he goes down! It’s over! What a finish by Borralho.
Result: Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via KO (punch) – Round 2, 2:10
Recap: Caio Borralho slumps Paul Craig with charging knockout blow
Photos: Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), Craig (17-8-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
Round 1 – Both very bouncey in their stances. Body kick by Pereira. Leg kick by Potieria. Oh! Big one, two drops Potieria! Pereira is all over him. He snatches Potieria’s neck in a standing guillotine. Potieria taps and falls unconcious to the floor. It’s over. What a showing by Perira. Wow.
Result: Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:54
Recap: Michel Pereira quickly dispatches Ihor Potieria with flair for 8th win in a row
Photos: Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Potieria (21-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Fernando Portella
Vitor Petrino vs. Anthony Smith
Round 1 – Petrino is walking down Smith and looking to land a big shot right off the bat. A couple of big rights connect for Petrino. Leg kick by Petrino. Leg kick by Smith. Big shots by Petrino. He closes the distance, picks up Smith and slams him! But wait, Smith has a guillotine choke! It’s over! Big win for Smith.
Result: Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:00
Recap: Anthony Smith taps Vitor Petrino in two minutes
Photos: Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Smith (38-19 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Petrino (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Osiris Maia
Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez
Round 1 – Aldo moving forward, while Martinez stays on the outside. A couple of hard leg kicks by Martinez. Aldo with a nice body shot. Good pressure here by Aldo. By having Martinez backing up, it’s hard for him to throw his leg kicks. Good combo by Aldo. Martinez witha good jab. He’s very gun shy and his corner is asking him for more activity. Leg kick by Aldo. Another leg kick by Aldo.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldo.
Round 2 – Big leg kick Aldo. Martinez is more agressivein this round. Body shot and then a combo by Aldo. Martinez shoots and presses Aldo against the cage. After a minute of just control, the referee has finally brokem them up. Oh! Nice left by Martinez. Aldo answers back with a solid combo. This is getting heated! Jab by Aldo. Two minutes left. One, two by Aldo. Martinez is struggling to land on Aldo. Good left by Martinez. Both trade shots in the final seconds. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldo.
Round 3 – Great fight here. Martinez has Aldo backing up now. They both land. Aldo attempts a takedown, but fails. Good elbow by Martinez Oh! Big one, two by Aldo and then a body shot. Martinez still pressing Aldo. Three minutes left. Right hand by Aldo. Left by Martinez. Aldo ducks under a spining back fist. Martinez gets wobbled! Nasty left connects for Aldo. Aldo going in for the kill. Aldo takes down Martinez. He’s in guard landing ground-and-pound. One minute left. Good control here by Aldo. Aldo passes to half guard. Martinez recovers guard. Aldo with ground-and-pound. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Aldo. Overall 30-27, Aldo.
Result: Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Jose Aldo sharp in return from retirement, outpoints Jonathan Martinez for decisive victory
Photos: Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Aldo (32-8 MMA, 14-7 UFC), Martinez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Rafael Ferreira, Ben Cartlidge, David Lethaby 30-27.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
Round 1 – Pantoja rushes for a takedown, but Erceg stuffs it. One, two by Pantoja. Jab by Erceg. Very clean combo lands for Erceg, but Pantoja eats it well. Pantoja seems to be fighting a bit reckless here, Erceg seems more composed. Good knee to the head from the clinch by Pantoja. Jabs by Erceg. Leg kick by Pantoja. Halfway through the round. Big right by Pantoja and then a takedown. Erceg tries to scramble up, but takes a knee to the chest by Pantoja. Pantoja now on side control. They get into a scramble and Pantoja takes side control. One minute left. Big shots from top by Pantoja. Erceg gets up, but is being pressed against the cage. Pantoja drags him back down, but Erceg scrambles out of it.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.
Round 2 – Pantoja presses Erceg against the cage early here. Good knee by Pantoja. Erceg breaks free and they’re back to striking. Both fighters a bit hesitant here. And Pantoja is able to drag the fight back to the ground. He takes mount. Erceg scrambles his way out and they’re back to striking. We’re half way through the round. Erceg is pressing Pantoja but not throwing much. Erceg with several shots connecting clean! Pantoja shoots but fails on the takedown. One minute left. Body kick by Pantoja. Erceg with a clean combo. Nice elbow by Erceg. Pantoja takes down Erceg in the final seconds and ends the round on top.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Erceg.
Round 3 – Erceg appears to be the more composed and accurate stiker here. Good leg kick by Pantoja. Jabs by Erceg. Good right hand by Erceg. Pantoja closes the distance and presses Erceg against the cage. It doesn’t last long, as Erceg breaks free. Both connect hard shots in an exchange! Pantoja closes the distanace and presses Erceg against the cage. Pantoja gets the takedown. Pantoja is badly cut and is bleeding a ton. Pantoja gets the back of Erceg. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja.
Round 4 – Suprisingly, Erceg shoots for the takedown, but comes up short. Ercag walking down Pantoja. Good elbow by Erceg. He’s landed many of those. Clean combo by Erceg. Righthand lands for Pantoja. Three minutes left. Erceg with non-stop ressure here. Pantoja is looking tired, while Erceg looks fresh. Good shots here by Erceg. He shoots, but fails. Jab by Erceg. Pantoja is bleeding from his forehead and it’s affecting his vision. He keeps wiping his eye. Big uppercut by Erceg. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Erceg.
Round 5 – Erceg shoots and takes down Pantoja! Pantoja scrambles though and ends on top. Pantoja with good control tying up Erceg. Pantoja looking to take the back of Erceg, but Erceg is defending well. Pantoja still in control but little damage being done. Erceg gets back to his feet. We’re halfway through the round. Good elbow by Erceg. Left hook lands for Pantoja. Leg kick now from the champion. Erceg shoots and gets reversed by Pantoja. Pantoja now on top from guard. One minute left. Erceg scrambling like crazy, but Pantoja keeping dominat in his control. The bell rings.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9, Pantoja. Overall 48-47, Pantoja.
Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – to defend flyweight title
Recap: Alexandre Pantoja ekes by Steve Erceg to retain title in thrilling five-round battle
Photos: Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg at UFC 301: Best photos
Records: Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC), Erceg (12-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Fabio Alves. Sal D’Amato, David Tirelli 48-47.
