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An underdog, Steve Erceg is ready to shock the world at UFC 301. “Astro Boy” challenges Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil for the UFC featherweight title.

Erceg had a 9-1 record before joining the UFC in June 2023. The Aussie is on an eleven-fight win streak and is 3-0 in the octagon, his last contest being a knockout win in March against Matt Schnell. It is a last-minute fight for Erceg, ranked tenth in the UFC’s flyweight rankings. 

Per Bet MGM, Erceg is the +190 underdog. He will be at a disadvantage in the fight, especially with it being in Pantoja’s backyard. However, he looks to make the most of the opportunity.  

“I feel like I’ve made a career of saying yes to anybody, anywhere, anytime, and I’m willing to back myself for this one,” Erceg told The Sporting News. “In a perfect world, of course, you’d like maybe 12 weeks or something to that degree just to watch tape, technically prepare for certain things, change some stuff in your game, and then eight weeks out, you really push hard.

WATCH: UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg, exclusively on ESPN+

“I know I’ve put in a lot of work for a long time, I know what I’m capable of, and I’m excited to show it.”

Pantoja lost the semifinals of The Ultimate Fighter in 2016 but earned a contract with the UFC. Since that loss, he has gone 11-3 and is on a five-fight win streak. “The Cannibal” has eight wins via knockout and ten via submission, last beating Brandon Royval for a second time to retain the UFC flyweight title. 

The Sporting News provides all you need to know about the fight, from time, channel, and card.

What time is UFC 301 on today? Schedule & more for Pantoja vs. Erceg

  • Date: May 4, 2024
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. CT | 7 p.m. PT
  • Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)

The early prelims start at 6 p.m. ET, with the prelims at 8 p.m. ET. The main card is at 10 p.m. ET. Pantoja and Erceg should make their way to the octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

MORE: Ranked: The 25 best MMA fighters under the age of 25

UFC 301 is in the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The arena can hold up to 18,000+ people. 

Region Date Early Prelims Start Time Prelims Start Time Main Card Start Time Main Event Ring Walks (approx.)
USA and Canada (ET) Saturday, May 4 6 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET 10 p.m. ET 12:15 a.m. ET (Sun morn)
USA and Canada (PT) Saturday, May 4 3 p.m. PT 5 p.m. PT 7 p.m. PT 9:15 p.m. PT 
UK and Ireland Sunday, May 5 11 p.m. BST (Sat night) 1 a.m. BST 3 a.m. BST 5:15 a.m. BST
Australia Sunday, May 5 8 a.m. AEST 10 a.m. AEST 12 p.m. AEST 2:15 p.m. AEST

UFC 301 live stream, TV channel info for Pantoja vs. Erceg

Country Date Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States Saturday, May 4 ESPN+, ESPN PPV
Canada Saturday, May 4 Sportsnet+, DAZN, UFC PPV on UFC Fight Pass, Rumble, YouTube
United Kingdom Sunday, May 5 TNT Sports, discovery+
Australia Sunday, May 5 Main Event Kayo Sports, UFC Fight Pass

UFC 301 PPV price: Cost of live stream for Pantoja vs. Erceg

In the U.S., the UFC 301 main card is available via pay-per-view on ESPN+, which also requires a subscription. The PPV price for UFC 301 is $79.99 for current subscribers. New subscribers can pay a bundle price of $134.98 for the UFC 301 pay-per-view and an ESPN+ annual subscription, which offers savings of more than 30 percent.

In the UK, the main card is on TNT Sports Box Office and will cost £19.99.

WATCH: UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg, exclusively on ESPN+

Product Prices
ESPN+ Monthly Subscription $10.99/mo
ESPN+ Annual Subscription $109.99/yr
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported $14.99/mo
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads $24.99/mo
UFC PPV Standalone $79.99 each
UFC PPV Package (UFC PPV & ESPN+ Annual) $134.98, then $109.99/year
UFC PPV & The Disney Bundle

$79.99, then $14.99/mo

Click here to learn about the different pricing and bundling options with the ESPN+ platform.

If UFC 301 is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.

WATCH FROM ANYWHERE: Sign up for NordVPN (30-day money back guarantee)

UFC 301 full fight card for Pantoja vs. Erceg

Main Card

  • Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Steve Erceg for the UFC flyweight title
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo; Bantamweights
  • Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino; Light Heavyweights
  • Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria; Middleweights
  • Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho; Middleweights

Prelims

  • Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore; Featherweights
  • Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo; Strawweights
  • Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai; Lightweights
  • Jean Silva vs. William Gomis; Featherweights

Early Prelims

  • Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose; Lightweights
  • Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey; Lightweights
  • Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite; Flyweights
  • Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel; Lightweights
  • Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas; Flyweights

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Author(s)
Daniel Yanofsky Photo

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.