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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

'Don’t think it was smart,' Renato Moicano doesn’t heed the buzz around Steve Erceg at UFC 301

Originally posted on FirstSportz | Last updated 5/4/24

UFC 301 edges near, happening at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja makes his second title defense in the main event. He’s up against surprising title prospect Steve Erceg , who stands at #10 on the roster. For Steve Erceg, it means the world bagging this opportunity. For ‘The Cannibal’ – not so much as close friend Renato Moicano is against it.

‘Money’ Moicano doesn’t hesitate to voice his opinion when it concerns him or those around his immediate vicinity. He is a free thinker who isn’t afraid to even dare out Dana White . Alexandre Pantoja is an American Top Team (ATT) teammate of the fighter. As such, Renato Moicano believed whatever little buzz crests around Erceg isn’t beneficial for the champ whatsoever.

I am a friend with Pantoja, He’s my boy. Hard worker, dedicated guy, always in the gym, but I didn’t like this fight at all. This guy [Erceg], he’s dangerous but only three fights in the UFC...Nobody knows who he is. He’s not going to sell any pay-per-views... I think Pantoja wanted bad to fight in Brazil because it’s his home, right? But I don’t think it was very smart in the business side. Renato Moicano via “Mighty” Podcast with Demetrious Johnson

Falling under the TKO Holdings umbrella, UFC’s mixed-ruled martial arts grind might not be as scripted as its peers. However, Moicano believes some stories still drive the business, such as the all-time great rivalry between teammate-turned-enemies Jorge Masvial and Colby Covington. The lightweight standout has already proved his dominance over a microphone and his acumen to pull off a promo. His current thoughts prove it further.

As such, he thinks Muhammad Mokaev would have created more buzz than Steve Erceg as a title contender. Mokaev is currently 11-0 MMA and 6-0 UFC. With the same number of scraps going to a decision as Erceg, he boasts a more stretched-out resume. Pantoja has already expressed his wish to call out the undefeated prospect, thus providing ground for a rivalry. Consequently, Moicano isn’t alone in such thoughts.

Michael Bisping bets big on Alexandre Pantoja defeating Steve Erceg at UFC 301

Steve Erceg has proven to be a surprising inclusion, holstered up suddenly to a title challenger status for UFC 301. Even Renato Moicano weighed in on the matter recently. While he commends the dangerous Erceg for posing problems, he does not see the value of Alexandre Pantoja facing him on home turf without substantial rivalry.

Meanwhile, UFC legend Micahel Bisping does not even entertain Erceg would get through. Bisping sees Pantoja as someone with no substantial weakness. As such, he predicted the Brazilian champion to win the main event.

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...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 bast*rd on top of it. Michael Bisping via Official YT channel (@bisping)

Pantoja’s resume includes three highlight wins over Brandon Moreno, two wins over Brandon Royval, and top-ranking contenders Alex Perez and Manel Kape . Attending UFC Mexico City: Moreno vs. Royval 2, even Pantoja touted going 5-0 over top prospects with a gag sign. A -200 favorite bettor’s favorite, as per FanDuel, Bisping thinks the Brazilian was just too experienced for the underdog Erceg. Come UFC 301, it remains to be seen if such predictions ring true.