UFC 301: Pantoja defends Flyweight title; Aldo wins co-main event

UFC 301 results:It'sBrazil all the way at UFC 301asthemainand co-main eventswere wonby Alexandre Pantoja (Brazil) and Jose Aldo (Brazil). Pantoja successfully defended his Flyweight title againstSteve Erceg (Australia) at theJeunesse Arena inRio de Janeiro on Sunday (May 5). Aldo made a comeback after nearly two years and defeatedJonathan Martinez (United States) by unanimous decision(30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

UFC'sreturn toRio de Janeiro turned into a showcase ofBrazil’spast, present, and future inside the octagon, with10competitors from the host nation ending the night with their hands raised in victory.

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Main event:Alexandre Pantoja vsSteve Erceg (Flyweight title fight)

Pantoja outworkedErceg for five rounds to retain his Flyweight belt. The Brazilian was a bit more aggressive on Sundaycompared tohis last couple of fights. Erceg, meanwhile, showcased his crispboxing,while mixing in elbows in close range and cutting Pantoja.

The Australian seemed to garner some momentum in the fourth round, but inthe final round, the champion took advantage of a couple of tactical miscalculations by the Australian, turning Erceg takedown attempts into opportunities to control the grappling exchanges.

Pantoja won the fightbyunanimous decision(48-47, 48-47, 49-46). In his post-fight interview, the Brazilian was all praises for his opponent.

"Ineed to move my head alittlebit more, but my grappling is theverybest.These guys (team) got me to the top and took me to where I am today. (Steve Erceg) What an incredible opponent. I need a little bit of a break.I’vefought three times in the last year. ButI’mstill coming!"he said.

Co-main event: Jose Aldo vsJonathan Martinez (Bantamweight fight)

Jose Aldo, the former UFC Featherweight champion,was locked in and sharp duringSunday'sBantamweightboutagainst Martinez.The Brazilian outboxed Martinezbefore taking it up a notch in the third round, where he intensified his striking.Martinez stayed in the fight and never backed down, taking it all the way to the decision. Aldo earned the unanimous decision win.

In his post-fight interview, Aldo said,"I’mreallyhappy,I was really focusedandI want to thank my team. Icouldn’timagine this in my wildestdreams,to be back here in the city I live in, the city I love, with all these people here.I’mso flattered. I said that thiswasn’tgoing to be my last fight. I can still go forward, so maybe I cancome backand become the champion."

The former Featherweight champion moved to Bantamweight in 2019 and had his last fight at UFC 278.

>Anthony Smith defeats Vitor Petrino by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:00 of Round 1.

>Michel Pereira defeats Ihor Potieria by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:54 of Round 1.

>Caio Borralho defeatsPaul Craig by KO (strikes) at 2:10 of Round 2.

>Joanderson Brito defeats Jack Shore by TKO (leg kicks) at 3:35 of Round 2.

>Iasmin Lucindo defeatsKarolina Kowalkiewicz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

>Myktybek Orolbai defeatsElves Brener by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27).

>Drakkar Klose defeats Joaquim Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

>Mauricio Ruffy defeatsJamie Mullarkey by TKO (strikes) at 4:42 of Round 1.

>Dione Barbosa defeatsErnesta Kareckaite by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

>Ismael Bonfim defeats Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

>Alessandro Costa defeats Kevin Borjas by TKO (strikes) at 1:35 of Round 2.