– Bryan and I did our weekend show last night covering WWE Backlash, UFC 301, WWE cuts, John Laurinaitis, and New Japan Dontaku. We’ll be back again Monday night after Raw.
– Regarding the Drew Gulak situation after yesterday’s press conference with Paul Levesque, technically his contract is expiring and not being renewed as opposed to firing but that’s largely word semantics. The Ronda Rousey story is the reason he stopped being used and wasn’t going to be brought back, but with him gone, we’re told the stories surfacing are accurate as less experienced talent had not been comfortable talking about a veteran on the roster.
– WWE starts the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments on Raw tomorrow in Hartford, CT. They announced men’s bouts with Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor, Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio, Ricochet vs. Ilja Draunov, and Sheamus vs. Gunther. They also announced women’s bouts with Ivy Nile vs. Zoey Stark, Shayna Baszler vs. Zelina Vega, Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka, and Iyo Sky vs. Natalya. Some of these bouts sound great but with eight bouts on a show, they may not get time. Based on what was announced, it appears this will be Raw and SmackDown each having an eight-man men’s and women’s tournament over the next few weeks and the winners meeting in the finals at the King & Queen of the Ring PPV on 5/25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I don’t know that factually. I brought this up to a few in WWE, and the official word was that this will all likely be explained tomorrow night. One other person said that they believed this to be the plan. If they are doing eight bouts on Smackdown in two hours on Friday, that would be rushed. But that will be the focus of TV in the next few weeks.
– We’re looking for your thoughts on WWE Backlash as well as the second night of NXT Dontaku, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]
– Lots of interesting Google search notes for the weekend. UFC 301 last night did 420,000 searches. I felt less interest in this than any UFC PPV ever. WWE Backlash did 100,000, which is the lowest I can ever recall a WWE PPV doing. The Canelo Alvarez fight with Jaime Munguia did 1.5 million, so to the public, it was the one with the most interest of the shows yesterday. For comparison, the Kentucky Derby did 5.5 million. The only other boxing or MMA or wrestling stuff that trended was Ryan Garcia’s positive drug test did 200,000 on Wednesday and the death of Francis Ngannou’s young child did 100,000 on Monday.
– Jon Jones claimed that he’s got a date for his return and upcoming UFC heavyweight title fight with Stipe Miocic, but he’ll let Dana White make the official announcement. He said it’s nearly a done deal but the contracts have not been issued but said there is a verbal agreement.
– In the flyweight title main event at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Alexandre Pantoja won a 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 win over Stev Erceg. Judge Favio Alves gave Pantoja rounds one, three, and five. Sal D’Amato had the same score. Dave Tirelli had Pantoja winning 1, 2, 3 and 5. Media scores were 88 percent for Pantoja.
– In Canada this coming weekend the three-hour Collision & Rampage block from Vancouver will air from midnight to 3 a.m. Eastern, or on a four-hour tape delay on TSN in Canada. Usually, those shows don’t even air in Canada except for streaming, but TSN airs shows that are taped in Canada. But it’s hardly at a time it’ll get much viewership.
– In the U.K., while Joe Hendry’s song “I Believe in Joe Hendry” got a lot of viral notice, it did not land in the official charts for the week which takes in data from airplay, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, and others. Tom Campbell reported that for just sales this past week, it was the No. 6 single, and for downloads, it was No. 4. It was also No. 4 in the Official Big Top 40 based on streams, downloads, and Radio play.
– Jose Aldo, whose fight with Jonathan Martinez probably had the most interest of any bout on the UFC show, said he believes his contract is up but UFC has the right to match any outside offer. Many expected this would be his last fight but he indicated he’s not retiring and is hopeful of getting a title shot at bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. He also said he had an offer to box on the 7/20 Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. He also talked about perhaps fighting Henry Cejudo, Dominick Cruz, or Cory Sandhagen and said he brought all those names up for last night’s show but none were available.
– All Together Now at Budokan Hall on ABEMA Live PPV at 3:30 a.m. Eastern very late tonight:
Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb & Masa Kitamiya
Sanada & Kai vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Chris Brookes
Kenoh vs. Kosei Fujita
AZM & Miyu Amasaki vs. Starlight Kid & Natsupoi
Kota Minoura & Mao & Ninja Mack & Hayata & Desperado vs. Yamato & Tetsuya Endo & Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane & Hiromu Takahashi
Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi vs. Jake Lee & David Finlay & Gabe Kidd
The show is a joint effort of New Japan, NOAH, DDT, Dragon Gate, Big Japan, and Stardom.
– In non-WWE matches that have been recommended highly for the weekend, they were Shingo Takagi vs. Gabe Kidd’s Never title match yesterday and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jeff Cobb for the TV title on Friday’s New Japan show, as well as the Arena Mexico main event was the usual excellent, superheated, great creative moves with Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Templario vs. Flip Gordon & Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja. Kaito Kiyomiya’s GHC title win yesterday over El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. was recommended to me as was the Hazuki & Koguma tag title win over Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira on yesterday’s Stardom PPV show.
– A&E tonight has WWE Rivals on John Cena vs. Batista at 8 p.m. and Most Wanted Treasures on HHH at 9 p.m.
– Penta vs. Rey Fenix takes place on tonight’s House of Glory show at the NYC Arena in New York for Cinco de Mayo.
– Alex Pereira issued a challenge to Anthony Smith saying he would let Smith get his back and put the books in and that if Smith with that dominant position could choke him out, he’d give him $50,000. It was brought up to Smith last night after his win over Vitor Petrino. Smith said, “If I start on his back, I’ll choke the shit out of him, 100 percent.”
– Eve results from Friday night in London: Safire Reed & Zizi & Maya Matthews & Chantal Jordan & Millie McKenzie b Sky Smitson & Nightshade & LA Taylor & Session Moth Martina in a War Games cage match, Lana Austin & Ivy b Alexxis Falcon & Lizzy Evo in an I Quit match, Emersyn Jayne & Kanji b Alex Windsor & Rhio, Nina Samuels b Su Yung in the Eve title match. The show drew 400. Will Ospreay was at the show. The next show is 6/7 in Walthamstow with both Charlie Morgan & Jetta retiring in a trios match teaming with Erin Angel vs. Charli Evans & Millie McKnzie & Nina Samuels, plus Miyuki Takase & Haruka Uemuaki
The Octagon returns to Brazil this weekend for the UFC’s next pay-per-view offering as UFC 301 takes place inside the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
In the main event, the UFC Flyweight Championship is on the line as champion Alexandre Pantoja makes his second title defense against fast-rising challenger Steve Erceg. Pantoja is coming off a title defense against Brandon Royval in December and has won five straight fights. Erceg gets a title shot after less than a year on the UFC roster, having won eleven straight fights and three straight inside the Octagon.
In the co-main event, former UFC Featherweight Champion and UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo comes out of retirement to battle Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout. Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Vitor Petrino, and a pair of middleweight fights as Michel Pereira takes on Ihor Potieria, and Paul Craig battles Caio Borralho.
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> Flyweights- Alessandro Costa (13-4, 1-2 UFC) vs. Kevin Borjas (9-2, 0-1 UFC)
Costa lands a leg kick then a quick combination. Costa with another leg kick. Borjas lands a jab. Costa with a combo ending with a right hand, then lands a leg kick. Costa shoots for a takedown but they clinch for a second and Costa lands an elbow on the break. They trade combinations. Borjas lands a jab. Borjas lands a nice right hand but Costa fires back with a flurry. Costa lands a left hook that hurts Borjas. Borjas recovers and lands a flying knee. Costa with an elbow late. 10-9 Costa.
Costa lands a jab and a leg kick. Costa hurts Borjas with a leg kick and Borjas starts limping. Costa lands several leg kicks and Borjas goes to the mat and Costa gets on top and starts landing. They get to their feet and Costa drops Borjas with another leg kick and starts teeing off from the top. Borjas is working from the bottom but Costa gets the mount and lands an elbow before taking the back. Costa continues to land and it is stopped! Big finish from Costa!
Official Result- Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas by TKO (strikes) at 1:35 of Round 2
Bonfim with an inside leg kick. Pichel lands a leg kick. Bonfim with a leg kick. Bonfim with a pair of inside leg kicks. Bonfim lands a right hand. Bonfim with a leg kick then a right hand. Pichel with a calf kick. Pichel lands a jab. Pichel lands a leg kick and follows with a right hand. Bonfim lands an overhand right. Bonfim with a pair of leg kicks. Bonfim lands a left hook to the body. Bonfim with another hook to the body then they trade punches and leg kicks. Bonfim with another leg kick. Bonfim lands a right hand followed by a head kick. Pichel lands a leg kick but eats a counter combo from Bonfim. Bonfim with a flurry of jabs. Bonfim jumps for a guillotine late but Pichel escapes. 10-9 Bonfim.
Bonfim with a quick combo. Bonfim lands a leg kick. Bonfim lands a left hand then a hard right hand. Pichel with a leg kick. Bonfim with a combo. Pichel lands a leg kick. Bonfim hurts Pichel with a body punch and just misses a flying knee. Bonfim landing the jab and Pichel lands a leg kick. Bonfim with a right hand. Bonfim with a combo then lands a left hand to the body. Bonfim with two left hooks. Bonfim lands a right hand. Bonfim lands and slips to the mat late. 10-9 Bonfim, 20-18 Bonfim.
Pichel with a leg kick. Bonfim lands a combination and Pichel lands a right hand. Bonfim with a right hand. They trade with Bonfim landing more and we have a brief timeout for a fence grab by Pichel. Bonfim hurts Pichel with a left hook. Bonfim landing in response as he lands a flying knee and a flurry. Bonfim with a big flurry as he continues to hurt Pichel to the body. Bonfim scores a takedown. Bonfim lands from the top but they scramble up and trade in the clinch at the end. 10-9 Bonfim, 30-27 Bonfim.
Official Result- Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Barbosa with a body kick. Barbosa lands a right hand that stuns Kareckaite. Barbosa with another leg kick. Barbosa shoots for a takedown and puts it against the fence before getting it down. Barbosa gets the back and locks in a choke but Kareckaite gets her neck free. Barbosa landing from the back. Barbosa still with back control. Barbosa attacking the arm. Time runs out on the round. 10-9 Barbosa.
Barbosa lands a right hand. Barbosa hurts Kareckaite with a short elbow. Barbosa shoots for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Barbosa with a jab then a leg kick before she scores a takedown. Kareckaite escapes to her feet and lands some leg kicks as Barbosa is on her back. Barbosa is ordered to her feet. Kareckaite lands a right hand. Kareckaite gets a takedown but Barbosa is able to scramble for a leg lock. Barbosa is able to get the back of Kareckaite. Kareckaite spins into the guard of Barbosa and ends the round there. 10-9 Kareckaite, 19-19.
Kareckaite lands a leg kick. Barbosa shoots for a takedown but Kareckaite sprawls and lands a high kick as they get to their feet. Kareckaite lands a right hand. Barbosa shoots for a takedown and Kareckaite defends, but Barbosa lands a right hand as they break. Barbosa with a spin kick. Kareckaite lands a combo. Barbosa shoots and Kareckaite sprawls away and lands a right hand. Kareckaite with a combo ending with a body kick. Both are landing with Kareckaite landing slightly more. Barbosa shoots for a takedown and they scramble to the mat. Barbosa is attacking the leg. Kareckaite escapes and lands a standing right hand. Barbosa is let up. Barbosa lands a right hand. Kareckaite with a combo ending with a head kick. Barbosa shoots but Kareckaite sprawls. 10-9 Kareckaite, 29-28 Kareckaite.
Official Result- Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ruffy with an early leg kick. He lands another. Ruffy with a stiff jab. Ruffy with another stiff jab. Ruffy with a right hand. Mullarkey lands a body kick. Mullarkey lands a right hand. Ruffy with a jab and a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Ruffy with a big right hand. Ruffy with a spin kick. They trade some wild flurries. Ruffy lands a right hand that stuns Mullarkey. Ruffy with a sweep trip but they scramble up. Mullarkey lands a right hand but eats a right hand from Ruffy. Ruffy lands a big knee and Mullarkey goes down but gets up. Ruffy with some big punches and lands a big right hand that sends Mullarkey back down and it is stopped after follow-up shots. Big finish from Ruffy!
Official Result- Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey by TKO (punches) at 4:42 of Round 1
Silva lands a kick that went low and we have a timeout. They get back to action. Klose with a body kick. They trade kicks. Klose lands a right hand. Klose with a flurry before they clinch but quickly separate. Silva with a leg kick. Klose with a leg kick. Silva lands a body kick. Silva with a left hook. Klose is pressuring Silva against the fence and lands a right hand. Klose with a pair of right hands. Klose lands a right hand and a high kick. Silva with a leg kick. Klose with a combo and a knee. Klose with another combo and a pair of knees. They clinch and Klose with more knees and left hands. Klose lands an elbow. 10-9 Klose.
They trade kicks to start the second. Silva with a body kick. Silva attacks the body and Klose looks for a takedown against the fence. Klose has Silva pinned against the fence and lands some foot stomps and knees. Silva with an uppercut. They separate and Silva lands a combo. Klose pushes it against the fence. Klose with a knee and Silva reverses. They separate. Klose pushes it back against the fence. Klose with some more knees to the body. 10-9 Klose, 20-18 Klose.
Silva with a leg kick. Klose with a knee and a pair of jabs. Silva lands a left hand. Klose with a pair of leg kicks and a right hand. Klose lands a right hand after an exchange. Silva lands a combo. Klose with a leg kick. Silva jumps up for a guillotine choke. Klose tries to get out of it but Silva ends up with the mounted guillotine but Klose is able to escape. Silva hurts Klose with a right hand and Klose goes to the mat. Silva lands and looks for the neck but Klose ends up on top as he pops out. Klose has the back as they get to their feet. Silva lands an elbow. Klose looks for a takedown but Silva defends and lands a knee. They tie up and end the fight with Klose landing a spin kick. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Klose.
Official Result- Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brener with an inside leg kick. Brener with a leg kick. Orolbai lands a left hand. Brener lands a left hook. Orolbai lands a right hand and they clinch. Orolbai gets a takedown as Brener was attacking the neck. Orolbai with a big elbow from the top then lands a right hand. Orolbai stands and goes back into the guard with a big right hand. They scramble and Brener ends up on top and in side control. Brener gets the back. They scramble to the feet and separate. Orolbai with a right hand and then lands a combo. Orolbai looking for the takedown but Brener slips out. Orolbai is able to get Brener down. Orolbai with some short punches from the top. Orolbai with a big elbow. He continues to land from the top. 10-9 Orolbai.
Orolbai with a teet kick and Brener goes to his butt for a moment. Orolbai hurts Brener with a right hand. Orolbai rushes in and Brener lands a right hand but Orolbai is pressuring for the takedown. Orolbai gets it to the mat. Orolbai with a pair of big elbows. Orolbai with a combo from the top. Orolbai gets the mount. Orolbai with punches from the mount. Brener is able to get out and Orolbai grabs the back as they stand. They separate. Orolbai grabs the back. Brener with a body kick as they break. Orolbai with a combo to the body. Orolbai gets the takedown but Brener reverses to the top. Brener mounts Orolbai and lands to end the round. 10-9 Orolbai, 20-18 Orolbai.
They trade and Brener scores a takedown. They get up and Brener has the back and drags it down. He has the hooks in and is landing punches. They are on the feet and Brener drags it back down. Orolbai has a point taken away for grabbing the fence. Orolbai lands a knee to the body. Orolbai gets a takedown. Orolbai is in side control and lands an elbow but Brener slips over and has the back of Orolbai. They separate. They clinch against the fence. Orolbai lands a big left hand. Orolbai drops Brener at the end of the round. Close round. 9-9 round due to the point deduction, 29-27 Orolbai.
Official Result- Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Kowalkiewicz with a pair of kicks as Lucindo lands some punches. Lucindo lands a big left hook. They both land as Kowalkiewicz rushes forward. They clinch and Lucindo lands some knees before grabbing the neck. Lucindo with some knees. Lucindo with more knees. Kowalkiewicz tries to break the clinch but is unable to and Lucindo lands some more knees. They separate. Kowalkiewicz lands and Lucindo is able to get a trip takedown right into the mount. Lucindo with right hands from the top. She lands more from the top and ends the round landing. 10-9 Lucindo.
Lucindo with a body kick. They trade inside the pocket. Lucindo with a leg kick. Lucindo with a jumping knee. Kowalkiewicz lands a combo. Lucindo lands a combo in return. Lucindo with a body kick. Lucindo with a spin kick. They trade in close range before Lucindo lands a knee. Lucindo with a combination. Lucindo with a combo. Lucindo with a pair of body kicks. Lucindo with heavy shots as Kowalkiewicz lands some. Lucindo with some body kicks. Lucindo with a flying knee. Kowalkiewicz lands a right hand. 10-9 Lucindo, 20-18 Lucindo.
They clinch against the fence. Lucindo lands and they break. Kowalkiewicz with a leg kick. Lucindo lands a body kick and takes the back of Kowalkiewicz. Lucindo jumps on the back of Kowalkiewicz standing for a brief moment. Kowalkiewicz with some back elbows as Lucindo has the pressure on. They go to the mat and Lucindo is in side control. Lucindo stands and lands some kicks before Kowalkiewicz gets up. Lucindo with a flying knee. Lucindo with a spin kick. They trade. Lucindo with a big right hand. 10-9 Lucindo, 30-27 Lucindo.
Official Result- Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- Jack Shore (17-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. Joanderson Brito (16-3-1, 4-1 UFC)
Brito with a pair of big leg kicks. Brito lands the jab then another pair of leg kicks. Brito with another hard leg kick. Shore lands a jab. Brito hurts Shore with a leg kick and Shore looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Brito reverses position. Shore with a knee. They separate. Brito with a big right hand then a flurry as they push against the fence. Brito with some knees. Shore changes levels and looks for the takedown but Brito defends. They remain clinched against the fence. Brito with a shoulder strike. Shore lands a knee. 10-9 Brito.
They trade right hands. Shore lands a head kick. Brito pushes it against the fence. Brito with knees against the fence and he gets a brief takedown and still has body control as they get up. They separate. Brito with a leg kick then another. Shore lands a right hand. Brito with a calf kick. Brito looking for a takedown against the fence and Shore defending with elbows. Brito with some short knees. They call a timeout as Shore’s leg is bleeding badly from the calf kicks. There is a big, nasty cut in Shore’s leg and bone may be showing. The doctor calls the fight off and Brito picks up the victory.
Official Result- Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 3:35 of Round 2
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> Middleweights- #13 Paul Craig (17-7-1, 9-7-1 UFC) vs. #14 Caio Borralho (15-1 1 NC, 5-0 UFC)
Craig lands some kicks as Borralho lands and Craig looks for a takedown against the fence. Borralho defends by landing punches. Craig tries to pull guard but Borralho backs off and they stand. Borralho lands a right hand followed by a left hand. Craig shoots long for a takedown and Borralho easily shakes it off. Borralho with a body kick and left hand. Craig lands a body kick and briefly pulls guard but Borralho gets back to his feet. Borralho lands a left hand. Craig with an inside leg kick. Borralho with a right hand. Craig misses a takedown. Craig with a body kick. Craig with more body kicks. Borralho lands a leg kick. 10-9 Borralho.
They trade kicks. Craig lands a body kick. Craig lands a solid right hand. Borralho lands a big left hand then a flying knee. Craig is on the mat and Borralho backs off to let him up. Borralho lands a left hand. Craig with a body kick. Borralho lands a left hand. Borralho with a combo and Craig is backing up. Borralho lands another big combination and Craig goes down and is out! Big knockout win from Borralho.
Official Result- Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig by knockout (punches) at 2:10 of Round 2
> Middleweights- Michel Pereira (30-11 2 NC, 8-2 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (21-5, 2-3 UFC)
Pereira lands a leg and body kick. Pereira drops Potieria with a left hand then does a moonsault into the guard. They quickly get up and Pereira has a standing guillotine choke locked in. It is in tight and Potieria taps then goes out cold! What a finish from Pereira!
Official Result- Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria by submission (guillotine choke) at :54 of Round 1
> Light Heavyweights- #10 Anthony Smith (37-19, 12-9 UFC) vs. Vitor Petrino (11-0, 4-0 UFC)
They trade jabs. Smith lands a leg kick. Petrino with a body kick. Smith lands a jab. Petrino lands a jab. Smith with a pair of leg kicks. Petrino lands to the body and looks for a takedown. He gets it but Smith has a guillotine choke locked in tight and Petrino taps! Wow, what a finish from nowhere from Smith!
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:00 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Jose Aldo (31-8, 13-7 UFC) vs. #12 Jonathan Martinez (19-4, 10-3 UFC)
Martinez lands a leg kick then Aldo lands to the body. Martinez with two more leg kicks. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Martinez with a pair of leg kicks. Aldo with a high kick. Aldo just barely lands a right hand. They trade leg kicks. Aldo lands to the body. Aldo with a right hand. Martinez with a body kick. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a stiff right hand. Aldo with a combination to the body. Aldo with a right hand. Aldo scores with a leg kick. Aldo with an inside leg kick. 10-9 Aldo.
Aldo with a leg kick. He lands a right hand to the body. Aldo with a leg kick then a combination. Aldo rips to the body. Martinez lands a jab. Martinez pushes it to the fence. Martinez lands a few knees but not a lot of action happening. They are separated. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a knee to the body. Martinez lands a left hand but then Aldo lands a big right hand. Aldo with a left hook. Aldo with a leg kick. He lands a jab. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a leg kick. Aldo lands a right hand. Aldo with a right hand to the body. Martinez lands a body kick. Martinez with a spinning back fist. Aldo lands a straight right hand. Martinez with a left hand. Martinez lands another left hand. 10-9 Aldo, 20-18 Aldo.
Aldo lands a right hand. Martinez with a body kick. They trade and Aldo almost goes for a takedown but Martinez shakes him off. Martinez with a body kick. Aldo lands a right hand, then a knee to the body, then a body combination. Martinez lands a jab. Aldo with a right hand. Martinez lands a body kick. Aldo rocks Martinez with a left hook. Aldo with a pair of knees then a right hand. Aldo tosses Martinez down to the ground and gets on top. Aldo with right hands from the top. Aldo passes to half-guard. Aldo with shots from the top and they trade on the mat to end it. 10-9 Aldo, 30-27 Aldo.
Official Result- Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> UFC Flyweight Championship- C Alexandre Pantoja (27-5, 11-3 UFC) vs. #10 Steve Erceg (12-1, 3-0 UFC)
Pantoja with a leg kick. Pantoja rushes in with a flurry and looks for a takedown. Pantoja with a knee to the body before they break. Pantoja with a leg kick. They trade right hands and Erceg lands a combo. Pantoja lands a right hand. Pantoja lands to the body as he rushes in. Pantoja with a knee during a brief clinch. Erceg lands a jab. Pantoja with a leg kick. Another leg kick from Pantoja. Erceg with a leg kick. Pantoja gets a takedown and they work to the fence. They almost scramble up but Pantoja lands a knee to the body and keeps it down. Pantoja with left hands and has the back and drags it back down. Pantoja with some big ground-and-pound before they get to their feet. Pantoja drags it back down but they scramble right up. 10-9 Pantoja.
They trade to start. They clinch and Pantoja with a knee. Pantoja with a knee as they break. Pantoja with a left hand. Pantoja lands a leg kick. Erceg with a jab. Erceg lands a combo in close range. Pantoja scores a takedown. He gets the mount. Erceg scrambles out from the bottom and they separate. Erceg lands a left hand. He lands another. Pantoja lands a leg kick and Erceg lands a right hand and an elbow. Erceg lands a left hand as Pantoja shoots for a takedown. They scramble apart. Erceg lands an elbow. They trade. Erceg lands an elbow. Pantoja with a late takedown. Close round. 10-9 Erceg, 19-19.
Erceg lands an elbow then lands to the body. They clinch and Pantoja with some knees before breaking. They trade combos. Pantoja with a leg kick after Erceg lands a jab. Pantoja lands to the body. Both land in an exchange. Erceg with a right hand. Pantoja with a combo. Pantoja pushes it against the fence. Pantoja lands a big combo and gets a takedown. Erceg cut Pantoja open with an elbow before the takedown. Pantoja gets the back and Erceg is trying to escape. Pantoja with some left hands and they stand. Pantoja drags it down. 10-9 Pantoja, 29-28 Pantoja.
They trade and Erceg lands a counter right hand. They trade jabs. Erceg shoots for a takedown but Pantoja slips away. Erceg lands an uppercut and left hand. Pantoja with a nice combination. They trade and Erceg lands a right hand. Erceg with a jab. Pantoja rushes in with a flurry. They trade right hands. Erceg with a jab. Pantoja sprawls on an Erceg takedown attempt. Erceg lands a jab. Erceg with an uppercut as Pantoja grabs the body. They break. Pantoja lands a left hand. 10-9 Erceg, 38-38.
Pantoja lands a right hand. Erceg with a leg kick. Erceg gets a takedown. Pantoja is able to scramble out and he gets a takedown. Pantoja has the back as they stand. Pantoja tried to drag it back down but Erceg grabs the fence and the post. Pantoja drags it down. They get to their feet and separate. Erceg with a short uppercut. Erceg with a head kick. Pantoja lands a jab. Pantoja with a solid left hand. Erceg lands an elbow. Erceg goes for a takedown but gets reversed and Pantoja ends up inside his guard. Pantoja works to half-guard. Pantoja gets the back but Erceg scrambles. Pantoja with right hands from the top. They get to their feet at the end. 10-9 Pantoja, 48-47 Pantoja.
Official Result- Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Flyweight Championship
