Michael Bisping gives his UFC 301 main event prediction

UFC 301 takes place this weekend at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event is headlined by flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and tenth-ranked Steve Erceg.   It’s the 12th time the fight promotion has held an event in Brazil’s second-most-populous city.  

Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping gave his prediction for the flyweight title bout on his YouTube channel and favored the champion.  

“Alexandre Pantoja, this man’s phenomenal.  He’s pretty much gone through the entire flyweight division.  Brandon Moreno, the Royvals, the Kapes.  You name it, he’s been there and done it,” said Bisping.  “He’s got no weak areas.  He’s got a strong mind.  He’s resilient.  He’s got an amazing gas tank.  He can strike.  He can wrestle.  He’s got world class jiu-jitsu, and he’s a nasty bastard on top of it.”  

“Steve Erceg, only 28-years-old, flying from Perth, Australia flying to Rio de Janeiro.  12-1, okay.  The man is on an incredible win streak and last time got the job done.  Knocked out Matt Schnell with a vicious left hook, but he’s not a knockout artist,” Bisping continued.  “In 12 wins he’s only had two knockouts and six submissions.”

“He’s a big underdog.  He should be a big underdog.  There’s a reason why he will be.  He’s going to try to shock the world.  Get a massive upset.  Will he get it done?  I love Steve Erceg.  Nice guy, but this isn’t the one.  It’s just not the one.  Not right now, and I say that with respect to Steve.”  

The fight will be Pantoja’s second title defense, and Bisping believes the belt will stay with the champion.  

“Alexandre Pantoja, he’s too skilled, too experience, but you never know.  One shot.  One shot is all it takes in those four ounce gloves,” said Bisping.  “Of course, in the main event, I have the one and only Alexandre Pantoja.”