Robert Whittaker has given his thoughts on Alexandre Pantoja’s controversial decision victory against Steve Erceg in their flyweight title fight at UFC 301.
Entering the UFC Flyweight Championship bout against Pantoja ranked 10th in the 125-pound division, Erceg blew fans out of the water by giving the reigning champion a run for his money. However, the Brazilian was still able to do just enough to secure a closely-contested decision victory, which has left netizens divided.
Many UFC fans think Erceg was ROBBED, but his compatriot, Whittaker, begs to differ.
In the latest episode of the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker explained why he believes Pantoja deserved to win.
“We’re Australians, I wanted to see Steve get that title and bring it back, but I don’t know how much of this ‘controversy’ I can look into because I thought Pantoja did enough to win,” Whittaker said. “Personally, I had Pantoja winning the first three [rounds], I thought four went to Erceg and I think five could have been either way. The way Steve finished [the fight] was kind of bad – you never want to finish on your back.
“I’m wearing Australian beer goggles, I wanted Steve to win and I thought that was an amazing showing – this is his fourth fight in the UFC…He’s speed ran the division and now he’s fighting at the pinnacle of the sport in Brazil against a Brazilian – that’s the height of pressure.”
Whittaker is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev in a potential middleweight title eliminator at UFC Saudi Arabia in June.
Do you agree with Robert Whittaker?
