UFC 301 | Pantoja puts the title at stake and the comeback of a legend

Alexandre Pantoja will not have expected that he will have to fight the number ten flyweight in front of his own audience. Pantoja defended his title for the second time at the end of last year and has already fought many fighters at the top of the division.

Erceg has only fought three times in the UFC, but had such a spectacular knockout victory against Matt Schnell in March this year that the Australian will already have the opportunity to fight for the title within a year.

Jose Aldo retired in 2022 after his loss to Merab Dvalishvili. The former champion and MMA legend was enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame last year.

Aldo now comes out of retirement to fight Jonathan Martinez in front of his home crowd. Martinez is on a strong streak of six wins in a row. Can he also beat “The King of Rio” in Brazil?

Anthony Smith has been a fixture at the top of the light-heavyweight division for years. However, the American has been struggling in the division lately, winning just once in his last four matches. Smith will meet undefeated Vitor Petrino in Brazil.

Petrino has won all his fights so far and looks to be on his way to the top 10 of the division. Can Petrino take over from the veteran or does Smith still have the quality to run with the top and hold off the young guard?

There is no preview show for this event. The broadcast of the prelims starts on Sunday morning, May 5 at 2 a.m. on discovery+.

At 4 a.m. it’s time for the main card with expert commentary from Sander Schrik and Marloes Coenen, which can also be seen on discovery+.

• Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
• Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo
• Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
• Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
• Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho

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

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