UFC 301 ‘Pantoja vs. Erceg’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

The UFC is back for its annual trip to Brazil, and it stacked the
deck for the home nation by putting one Brazilian combatant against
a foreigner in every bout. As a result, betting lines are lopsided
towards the locals, with those from Brazil favored in 10 of the 13
fights. As most know, anything can and often does happen in MMA
once the cage door closes, so it’s time to buckle up. The first of
a baker’s dozen matchups comes in the flyweight division between
two South American men that could both use a win. Costa (13-4, 1-2
UFC) has had the misfortune of facing two elite 125ers in his three
walks to the Octagon thus far, while Borjas (9-2, 0-1 UFC) ran into
the Burmese wall that was Josh Van in his promotional debut. The
two will receive oversight from referee Joao Claudio Soares in this
curtain jerker, and they get after it following a swift touch of
gloves. The two flyweights measure one another early, trying to
draw the other out with little more than movement and a pump-fake
or two. Borjas paws out a range-finding jab, and Costa suddenly
fires back with a one-two and a low kick. Costa surges ahead,
stringing together a number of punches that bounce off and through
the guard of his opponent. Costa whips a kick low to intercept
Borjas coming in at him, and he stalks his man down. The Brazilian
swarms forward, and Borjas shifts and rolls to avoid the damage.
Costa changes levels for a takedown shot from a wide distance, and
“El Gallo Negro” shucks it off before it turns into anything.
Borjas paws out a few jabs, and he finds himself in a brief
slugfest that gets his jaw jacked. Costa stands back to admire his
work, and then blazes ahead to hammer his man with three punches on
the side of the head and they crash heads together. A cut has
opened up above Borjas’ ear, but he does not acknowledge it and
tries to counter the advancing Costa with two flying knees. Costa
shrugs them both off and lets his hand fly, and sporadic chants for
“uh vai morrer” rain down from the fans. Costa takes the energy of
the crowd and rifles off a jab that knocks Borjas off his feet, and
he lets Borjas recover so that he can ring his bell with a pair of
hooks. Borjas stumbles and gets back to his feet to leap in the air
with a knee, and the round ends with Costa returning fire with his
own flying knee that slams into the chest. Borjas throws his foe to
the floor, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Costa

Round 2

The two men bump fists to open the round, and Costa gets right back
to his advancing attack. Costa lays into his man with punches to
the head, and he mixes up one to the body that appears to hurt the
Peruvian. Costa sees and opening and unleashes a number of leg
kicks that do serious damage and make Borjas limp. Borjas tries to
tough it out, but Costa sweeps him off his feet with vicious low
kicks. Costa chains a few punches together as Borjas backs himself
against the fence, and he knocks Borjas to the ground again with a
mighty calf kick. Seeing the finish might be around the corner,
“Nono” leaps on top and drops jackhammering fists as Soares takes a
close eye on the action. Borjas tries to scramble and nearly gives
up his back, and as he turns over, Costa jumps on top of him into
full mount.
Costa finishes the job with a long series of hammerfists and
punches, and Soares has seen enough and waves off the fight to put
Brazil on the board first. This is an important win
for the Brazilian, who evens his UFC record to .500 while also
evening his distribution of knockouts to submissions at six
apiece.

The Official Result

Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas R2 1:35 via TKO (Punches)

Round 1

Despite being on the roster since 2012, Pichel (14-3, 7-3 UFC) has
averaged less than one fight a year and will only be entering into
his 11th UFC fight tonight. He draws a tough ask in the high-flying
powerhouse Bonfim (19-4, 1-1 UFC), who will throw everything and
the kitchen sink at him before it is all said and done. Referee
Mike Beltran draws the charge for this lightweight affair, and
despite any bad blood, the fighters opt to clap hands before going
to battle. Pichel is the initial aggressor, walking Bonfim down and
throwing a stern leg kick that draws a head tilt from his opponent.
Bonfim responds with his own low kick, and then strikes on the
inside of his foe’s leg twice. Pichel comes up short with a
one-two, and Bonfim smacks him with a left hand. Pichel lets loose
a body kick, and Bonfim takes it flush and fires back with a right
hand over the top. Pichel stays composed and trips the Brazilian up
with a high calf kick, and he shrugs one off that comes back his
way to swing back a calf kick. The two throw hands, and Pichel
targets the top of the calf very specifically. Pichel checks a kick
and gives one back, and the two engage in a back-and-forth trading
leg kicks. Bonfim goes to the inside with a kick, and Pichel does
the same. “Marreta” hammers the body and goes up top, and Pichel
does not bat an eye as he counters with an overhand right. Bonfim
connects with another body shot, and he reaches a left hand over
the top. Bonfim stays busy with numerous leg kicks when Pichel
changes stances, and he sits down on a left hand that slams into
the side of the elder fighter’s dome. Pichel fakes a jump and
pushes forward with a right hand, and Bonfim staggers back and
gathers himself to let loose with punches and a sneaky head kick.
Pichel scores one low kick before the counters of Bonfim come
flying at him. The powerful fists of the Brazilian have reddened
the nose of his adversary, and he blocks a slow low kick and rifles
off a number of sharp, potent jabs to follow. Bonfim shoots in for
a takedown, ultimately hurling Pichel to the mat and then jumping
to a guillotine choke to catch Pichel in the waning seconds of the
round. Pichel pops his head out, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim

Round 2

There is a touch of gloves to initiate the second stanza, and
Pichel once more puts his foot on the gas right out of the gate.
Bonfim welcomes this as he times three accurate punches that loop
around the guard, and he gets in a low kick to boot. Pichel
retaliates with a leg kick, steps forward and scores another.
Bonfim pops the mustached man with punches, and he catches a kick
and twirls Pichel around. Pichel laughs and offers a glove touch
that is accepted, and he backs off and starts prodding out front
kicks. Pichel sticks out jabs, and Bonfim answers with more
powerful ones. When Pichel toes into a combination, Bonfim whips
three punches over the top that get the veteran’s attention. Pichel
throws a low kick and pulls it for some reason, and Bonfim takes
advantage of this by jabbing his face up. Bonfim releases another
head kick, and he blasts the body with a left hand and cracks
Pichel with a right over the top. Pichel wobbles but steels himself
and starts swinging back with his legs, and when he throws wild
hands, Bonfim beats him to the punch and stings him again. The
Brazilian wraps four hands together around the guard, and as Pichel
looks for a counter, Bonfim batters the body with a clean left
hand. Bonfim hits Pichel with four straight left hands, and when
Pichel dips to the other side, Bonfim lets go with a right. Bonfim
jabs a few times and has his lead leg kicked hard, and he stumbles
and gathers his thoughts to throw back with bad intentions. Pichel
eats a number of jabs with his hands low, and he changes stances
but does not capitalize on the different angle. Bonfim allows him
to do this so he can measure a left and a long right, and he spins
with a jumping wheel kick only to fall to the ground. Pichel leaps
on top of him to do some damage, but the round ends before anything
comes of it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim

Round 3

The lightweights hug it out to start the last round, clearly
letting go of any ill will shared between them for their previous
canceled engagement. Pichel tosses out a front kick to reintroduce
himself, and he jabs from both sides while switching stances often.
Bonfim stands right in front of him and lets his hands go with
powerful blows that knock Pichel back again and again. Pichel’s
right eye has some swelling thanks to the left hands of his
opponent, and Bonfim measures his jab and lands on the same spot.
Bonfim walks Pichel around the cage, and his jab opens a cut on the
bridge of Pichel’s nose. Bonfim settles down to jab Pichel up, and
a right up top and left to the ribcage do some damage. Pichel is
tough as nails, and he pushes his hand out to get some space as his
fingers slide into Bonfim’s eye socket. Pichel calls out to Beltran
of his mistake, and Beltran issues him a hard warning for the foul.
The two get right back to striking after less than 30 seconds of
recovery time, with Bonfim firmly in the driver’s seat. Bonfim
leaps forward with a left hook that staggers Pichel, and he unloads
with punches and body kicks as Pichel retreats to put his back to
the wire. Pichel tries to throw back to keep Bonfim honest, and
Bonfim does not fall into a reckless slugfest and allows them to
reset in the center of the cage. Bonfim spins with a back fist that
grazes the hair, and Pichel breathes a sigh of relief that the
strike did not knock his block off. Pichel looks for a stutter-step
long punch, and Bonfim slides out of the way and lays into him with
four rapid-fire punches. Bonfim attacks the body and head
indiscriminately, and as he appears to hurt Pichel again, he allows
Pichel to bend over so he can leap at him with a knee. To mix
things up, the Brazilian shoots in for a single-leg takedown and
puts Pichel on his back. Pichel keeps a high guard and uses his
legs to push Bonfim off of him, and he sits up to back up against
the fence. Pichel counters a strike by shooting for a single of his
own, and Bonfim sprawls and stops it. Pichel hangs on, and the
fight ends as the fighters embrace after 15 minutes of combat.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim (30-27 Bonfim)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim (30-27 Bonfim)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim (30-27
Bonfim)

The Official Result

Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 4

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

Round 5

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Stein scores the round:
Tristen Critchfield scores the round:

The Official Result