The UFC head back to Rio De Janeiro this Saturday (May 4) with a stacked card, as the Flyweight title is on the line at the top of the bill at UFC 301.
In the main event, set for the Famasi Arena, Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will look to defend his crown in front his countrymen against the number 10 ranked Steve Erceg. Pantoja heads into the contest on the back of a successful title defense against Brandon Royval at UFC 296, extending his unbeaten streak to 5 bouts. Standing across him in the octagon on Saturday night will be the Australian Erceg. ‘Astroboy’ has been somewhat fast tracked to the title, as he finds himself competing for the belt in only his fourth bout with the promotion. Since signing with the UFC in In 2023, Erceg has racked up wins against David Dvorak, Alessandro Costa and Matt Schnell.
In the co-main event, MMA legend Jose Aldo returns to the fold to face Jonathan Martinez in a Bantamweight contest. After announcing his retirement back in August of 2022, many were shocked when the Brazilian announced he would be returning to the octagon to compete once more. In what will be his 40th professional bout, the former UFC Featherweight champion takes on a tough challenge in Jonathan Martinez. Since his lost to Davey Grant in 2021, ‘Dragon’ has been on a tear; racking up six wins on the bounce.
Vitor Petrino will be trying to break into the top 10 of the Light Heavyweight division when he faced the number 10 ranked Anthony Smith. Although the vastly more experienced Smith’s form has struggled of late, having going 1-3 in his last four, with losses to Magomed Ankalaev, Johnny Walker and Jhalil Rountree Jr. with his only win since 2021 coming against Ryan Spann. Petrino signed with the UFC following a successful bout on the 2022 season of the Contender Series and has since beaten Marcin Prachnio, Modestas Bukauskas and Tyson Pedro.
The ever exciting Michel Pereira will no doubt want to put on another show stopping display when he meets Ihor Potieria at Middleweight. Having only managed to make the walk once last year, Pereira is clearly keen to have an active 2024, with Saturday’s bout marking his second of the year. Potieria will also be making the walk for the second time in 2024, entering the bout after earning a unanimous decision against Robert Bryczek in February.
Opening the main card, Middleweights will collide as Paul Craig looks to get back to winning ways against Caio Borralho. Elsewhere, Jack Shore enters enemy territory against Joanderson Brito as Karolina Kowalkiewicz will look to continue her impressive form against Iasmin Lucindo.
Ahead of the event, the UFC’s “Embedded” cameras are following the fighters behind the scenes as they work their way through fight week, as they arrive in Abu Dhabi and go through their pre-fight media obligations before the weigh-ins and the final faceoffs ahead of fight night.
As described on the UFC's official YouTube channel, in episode 3 - Steve Erceg hits a street party. Caio Borralho trains. Karolina Kowalkiewicz embraces the sun. Michel Pereira gets PT and game plans. Alessandro Costa dreams big with Diego Lopes. Champ Alexandre Pantoja faces off with Erceg.
Find the full episode below:
