A dejected Steve Erceg put up fairly the struggle in opposition to flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja however was left to ponder what might have been after a essential mistake within the fifth spherical of the UFC 301 important occasion as he suffered a unanimous choice (48-47 x2, 49-46) defeat.
Erceg, who was trying to shock the world in what was simply his fourth UFC struggle after a speedy rise within the 125-pound divison, discovered success with slicing elbows and his general placing recreation all through the bout.
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Nevertheless, each Erceg and Pantoja’s corners appeared in settlement that the champion had received every of the primary three rounds regardless of the UFC commentary crew suggesting in any other case.
Each Daniel Cormier and Paul Felder believed the struggle was far nearer than the corners have been making it appear, and apprehensive it might affect Erceg to go away from what was working for him.
That occurred on just a few events within the struggle as Erceg efficiently took Pantoja down within the fifth spherical however stayed on the bottom too lengthy, with Cormier describing it as a “large mistake”.
Then within the fifth once more, having regarded likeliest to trigger harm on his toes as Erceg landed one other clear elbow, the Australian adopted it up by capturing for an additional takedown.
This time although he was reversed and from there Pantoja managed the struggle till the very finish.
“That’s the place the inexperience comes into play, as a result of whereas he could have elite expertise he has not accomplished it lengthy sufficient at this stage to know that may be a mistake,” Cormier stated.
Each Cormier and Felder have been filled with reward for Erceg, who they stated proved himself “completely elite” by taking his much more skilled opponent the gap.
However Erceg regarded visibly pissed off with himself after the struggle, telling Cormier he was “stunned” with how properly Pantoja scrambled.
“I normally beat guys there in order that was a shock,” he stated.
Erceg stated he thought the third spherical was “shut sufficient” and that if he had received the final spherical he would have given himself a “likelihood” of getting his hand raised.
However as a substitute that essential mistake in capturing for the takedown proved his undoing.
“I simply blew it,” the Australian conceded.
“If he had stayed standing, I imagine he would have received the fifth spherical,” added Cormier.
It will likely be a studying expertise for Erceg although, who was the underdog getting into the UFC 301 important occasion with victories over Matt Schnell, Alessandro Costa and David Dvořák.
Total, Erceg was on an 11-fight win streak in his skilled MMA profession, but this was anticipated to be an excessive amount of of a step up at school in opposition to Pantoja, who has three victories over former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.
“It’s arduous to see Steve realise that proper then and there and we type of stated it on the published however like DC informed him, nothing to hold your head on,” Felder stated.
“You fought an excellent champion and also you confirmed why you belonged there and you’ll be, I imagine, again there in that very same spot.”
Re-live all of the motion from the struggle in our reside, round-by-round weblog under!
UFC 301 FULL CARD
Most important Card
Alexandre Pantoja (c) def. Steve Erceg by way of UD (48-47 x2, 49-46) — for the UFC flyweight title
Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez by way of UD (30-27 x3) — Bantamweights
Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino by way of submission, Spherical 1 — Gentle Heavyweights
Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria by way of submission, Spherical 1 — Middleweights
Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig by way of KO, Spherical 2 — Middleweights
Prelims
Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore by way of TKO, Spherical 2 — Featherweights
Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by way of UD (30-27 x3) — Strawweights
Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener by way of UD (29-27 x3) — Lightweights
Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva by way of UD (29-28 x3) — Lightweights
Early Prelims
Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey by way of TKO, Spherical 1 — Lightweights
Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite by way of UD (29-28 x3) — Flyweights
Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel by way of UD (30-27 x3) — Lightweights
Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas by way of TKO, Spherical 2 — Flyweights
EARLIER:
AUSSIE ON WRONG END OF NEW UFC HYPE MACHINE
Earlier, Australian underdog Jamie Mullarkey was stopped within the first spherical of his struggle in opposition to Mauricio Ruffy.
Ruffy, who had a 9-1 skilled MMA file getting into Sunday, was making his UFC debut after a 3rd spherical stoppage of Raimond Magomedaliev within the Dana White Contenders Sequence.
With 9 wins by knockout, Ruffy made an instantaneous assertion in his first struggle for the promotion as UFC analyst Din Thomas stated in commentary that he reminded him of a “younger Conor McGregor”.
Ruffy confirmed a little bit of the whole lot within the win, tripping Mullarkey up with a flying scissor sweep earlier than startling the Australian with a pair of sturdy proper arms close to the top of the spherical.
At that time it was a matter of when and never if Ruffy would cease him, with a flying knee and collection of punches forcing the referee to step in and name an finish to the struggle with 18 seconds left within the spherical.
“Oh my goodness… a flawless victory,” Corridor of Famer Daniel Cormier stated in commentary.
“I feel the struggle was after lengthy earlier than it was stopped however Mullarkey was doing sufficient to remain within the struggle,” added Paul Felder.
“In the end it begins to put on on him method an excessive amount of. [Ruffy] stays composed although, is aware of Mullarkey goes to panic strike again and simply isn’t there for any of the return pictures. Unbelievable.”
It might have been his UFC debut however Ruffy then confidently known as out light-weight champion Islam Makhachev in his post-fight interview with Cormier.
“I do know you’re upset as a result of I beat your buddy,” Ruffy stated.
“Get pleasure from your days on the high as a result of a brand new king is coming.”
WAS THAT ILLEGAL? UFC MADMAN’S WILD FINISH
Elsewhere, there was some controversy as Michel Pereira made straightforward work of Ihor Potieria to say a shocking submission within the opening spherical.
It was the 14th first-round end of Pereira’s profession, with the Brazilian dropping his rival with a one-two after which touchdown a spectacular however probably unlawful knee to a grounded opponent’s head off a backflip.
Pereira then acquired the standing guillotine locked in and secured the faucet, though he was maybe fortunate to not have the struggle dominated a no-contest as a substitute.
“I nonetheless assume he’s acquired to be taught his lesson from doing backflips and touchdown unlawful knees,” Felder stated.
“However a whole lot of it did land on the chest… and I feel that’s what stopped him from doubtlessly getting DQed.”
BLOODY BATTLE LEAVES SHORE’S LEG BATTERED
Elsewhere, Joanderson Brito completely destroyed Jack Shore’s leg on the best way to a bloody win on the preliminary card.
Brito simply constantly fired away with kicks all through the struggle, opening up a gnarly gash on Shore’s clearly compromised leg.
Shore bravely soldiered by means of however ultimately was dominated unable to proceed within the second spherical after an evaluation by the ringside doctor, who believed the 29-year-old could have damaged his leg.
Initially revealed as ‘I blew it’: Steve Erceg’s admission after world title heartbreak
