UFC 301 was an action-packed affair, because the 13-fight card gave witness to an epic flyweight title struggle between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. Jose Aldo returned to the UFC after a two-year hiatus and reminded struggle followers why he is probably the greatest ever in MMA. Plus, rising stars similar to Michel Pereira look poised to tackle some fascinating fights after profitable large on Saturday evening.
Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim react to the largest moments of the evening.
Pantoja is still on prime, however he is not untouchable
Hale: Pantoja would be the reigning and defending lord of the flyweights, however how a lot of a spot is there between him and the remainder of the 125-pound division?
It’s robust to say.
On one hand, Pantoja has already knocked off seven of the flyweight division’s prime contenders throughout his six-year tenure within the UFC. It’s not a very deep division and it requires some new blood. On the opposite hand, Erceg introduced a major problem to beat and exploited some holes in Pantoja’s sport that others might ultimately benefit from.
Pantoja is undeniably the most effective grappler within the division and is wonderful at taming his opponents as soon as they fall into his clutches. He additionally has an iron chin that has prevented the 34-year-old from being stopped at any level in his practically 17-year MMA profession. But his method to the standup by dashing ahead with a whirlwind of punches is certain to catch as much as him sooner or later. Erceg routinely caught the Brazilian charging in with quick elbows and adopted them with hooks that scored factors for the Aussie fighter.
Fortunately for Pantoja, few within the division possess the bodily qualities that Erceg does. Erceg had a novel mixture of peak, attain and boxing potential to actually check Pantoja. If they struggle once more a 12 months or two down the road, it would not be too farfetched to favor Erceg, contemplating that it was his inexperience that price him.
“I’m in here to fight the best in the world, and this guy is one of them,” Pantoja mentioned throughout his post-match interview. “What a tough fighter and what a tough division.”
But worrying about what could also be ready for him sooner or later is not Pantoja’s drawback. He’s coping with what is put in entrance of him — no matter their rating and tenure — and he is finished nicely to date.
Who might be subsequent is anybody’s guess. The undefeated Muhammad Mokaev would be the most deserving, however his type hasn’t been aesthetically pleasing sufficient for the UFC to catapult him right into a title alternative. Brandon Moreno is on a hiatus following his prolonged keep close to the highest of the division, and Amir Albazi is nursing a neck harm. It looks like everybody within the division must struggle once more to find out who is first in line to struggle for the title, which might give Pantoja a little bit of time because the division types itself out.
Right now, it is the Pantoja period, and there is no clear menace to his throne. Not but, not less than.
The King of Rio gave the folks what they needed
Wagenheim: Nearly a decade in the past, Aldo produced one of the crucial iconic UFC moments proper there in Rio de Janeiro, reacting to a knockout over Chad Mendes with a run deep into the gang, the place he celebrated along with his ecstatic countrymen. For that alone, he embodies the nickname of “The King of Rio.” But Aldo hadn’t fought there in 5 years and hadn’t gained within the house of Ipanema Beach because the 2014 victory over Mendes.
Until Saturday.
Aldo walked to the cage carrying a crown, and whereas that drew an ovation from the gang, what actually happy the lots was a classic efficiency by the 37-year-old, who retired in September 2022 and final 12 months was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. After a dominant efficiency towards Jonathan Martinez, Aldo put the crown again on his head and informed the adoring crowd that he is not completed as a fighter.
Aldo is combating at bantamweight now, not the featherweight division he twice dominated as champion. On this evening, he regarded like he might dangle with top-10 135-pounders on a given evening. Is one other title run in his future? The followers in Rio little question would love that. But this efficiency was sufficient to ship the gang house feeling like they’d witnessed a homegrown all-time nice do what he does finest. What extra might they hope for?
What’s subsequent for prime stars after UFC 301?
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Michel Pereira backflips his option to win
Michel Pereira completes an unimaginable backflip earlier than his win at UFC 301.
Okamoto: After a drama-filled 13-fight evening in Rio, this is what must be subsequent in matchmaking for the large winners and stars from UFC 301.
Alexandre Pantoja, flyweight champion
Who Should be Next: Mohammad Mokaev
Mokaev is the front-runner for Pantoja’s subsequent protection. Pantoja has already taken out lots of the prime names, some a number of occasions. Amir Albazi is out till not less than fall with a neck harm. Manel Kape is a risk, and I might see a world wherein it goes to him, however he had the current mishap of lacking weight and is additionally getting back from harm. Mokaev has gained each struggle the UFC has put in entrance of him, and he is been shouting loudly for the chance.
Wild card: Manel Kape
Because he is a brand new title and has been a noticeably standout flyweight on his finest nights. Kai Kara-France is additionally an intriguing title and matchup, however I feel the UFC would favor the “new” title in Kape. It would not assist that Kara-France is coming off back-to-back losses, regardless of the very fact he is still ranked very excessive.
Jose Aldo, bantamweight
Who Should be Next: Sean O’Malley, possibly
It’s apparent: Aldo’s still obtained it. He’s still an issue at 135 kilos, even at 37 years previous. And he is still a really beloved determine. He would not must make a transfer any time quickly. He’ll have the posh of sitting again and seeing what gives come to him, and I can definitely see a world wherein that provide finally ends up being a UFC title shot. O’Malley is good and is aware of there’s cash in a title protection towards Aldo. Does the UFC make that struggle if he beats Merab Dvalishvili later this 12 months and requires Aldo? I feel so.
Wild card: Boxing
I hope not, however Aldo still has an curiosity in boxing and may pursue what he is most obsessed with. I still suppose he is at a championship-level in MMA, in order that’s the place I’d wish to see him, selfishly. But boxing is undoubtedly an possibility.
Anthony Smith, mild heavyweight
Who must be subsequent: Nikita Krylov
What a win for Smith. He’s finished nicely going into his opponent’s yard earlier than, and he did it once more in Brazil: a first-round end over an undefeated opponent who was closely favored towards him. That means his eyes are wanting again up the rankings, For me, it settles on Krylov. Krylov is nearly the one individual ranked forward of Smith proper now that he hasn’t fought. There’s the champ, Alex Pereira, and former champ and typically coaching associate Jamahal Hill. Jan Blachowicz is an possibility as nicely. But to me, Krylov makes essentially the most sense.
Wild card: Blachowicz
I’m not certain why I want Krylov over Blachowicz. We have not seen Krylov in a minute, however he is on a three-fight win streak. Either possibility makes a ton of sense. Smith says he is not fascinated by the title as a lot as he used to, however this is still a closing run on the title, whether or not he is formally calling it that or not. A win over both Blachowicz or Krylov would transfer him in that path.
Michel Pereira, middleweight
Who must be subsequent: Roman Dolidze
Pereira did precisely what he was speculated to do towards an opponent that was blatantly outmatched. He virtually messed it up by backflipping into Ihor Potieria’s face whereas he was on the bottom, however the fee did not maintain it towards him and he prolonged his win streak. Dolidze was speculated to struggle Anthony Hernandez at UFC 302 in June, however Hernandez withdrew as a result of harm. If Pereira is keen to make a fast turnaround, let’s go. That is a hearth matchup and a top-10 opponent for Pereira, which I imagine he is prepared for.
Wild card: Jack Hermansson
Hermansson has fallen into the function, for now, of middleweight gatekeeper. He simply did it towards Joe Pyfer in a fundamental occasion, and stopped Pyfer’s ascension in its tracks. This can be a ranked opponent for Pereira, and an opponent with some juice behind his title for Hermansson.