TOlex Pantoja (28-5) was chosen by the UFC to lead its numbered event in Rio de Janeiro. One of the great Brazilian champions, but the less media by far. At UFC 301, history changes. Pantoja agreed to pair up with young Australian Steven Erceg (12-2) and survived a war to defend his flyweight belt, the lowest division of the main mixed martial arts league. ‘El Caníbal’ responded to all the attempts of his young rival and showed how a fight should be won.
Pantoja receives the champion belt.
Because it was a fight that went through all the phases. He went out with Pantoja looking for a video of better moments, determined to knock out and get that big blow. For an round and a half it was the tone, but Erceg had an answer. Under that good guy appearance, he threw elbows and all kinds of blows that touched Pantoja, cut them and opened an unexpected battle. He seemed like it live and under the gaze of the judges of the contest as well, because everyone was 2-2 (in rounds won) before the fifth and final round. Erceg was able to knock out, but Pantoja’s strategy took the battle to the last round.
Pantoja did not allow any more Erceg parties. He knocked him down on several occasions, he even managed to create a dangerous knee lock and the urgency, which had to appear, did not seem to appear in the Australian.. ‘The Cannibal’ changed the pace. From suffering standing to dominating it on the ground. Controlling, punishing and scoring an assault to decide the battle on the cards. Two 48-47 and 49-46 that give him his second defense of the title and fifth consecutive victory. After that war, anyone argues that he is a star.
The King of Rio
Aldo throws a kick.
The one who already was and signed an absolutely phenomenal triumph is José Aldo (32-8). The ‘King of Rio’, who is probably the greatest featherweight of all time. He returned to the UFC, with doubts because many pointed out that it was for a contractual issue and to get some best-selling fight in boxing… but he blew them all up.
dominated Jonathan Martínez (19-5), 14th on the bantamweight lists, completely. He used his stand-up game, with a very different distance than boxing. He started electric, making contact and in the second round he raised his proposal to end up making contact with a knee that was damaging.
Martínez tried to fight and control, but Aldo had solutions. A upper phenomenal in the third he secured the victory by unanimous decision. In 2011 he was already champion, in 2024 he continues to win. The ‘King of Rio de Janeiro’ returns under his own authority, he will always be a legend of the UFC.
