On May 4, 2024, UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Farmasi Arena. The UFC is coming to Rio de Janeiro for the first time since UFC 283 in January 2023, and this will be its 12th visit.
The UFC makes a comeback to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Alexandre Pantoja taking on Steve Erceg for the flyweight championship. José Aldo and Jonathan Martinez will square off in the co-main event.
The main event will feature a fight for the UFC Flyweight Championship between Steve Erceg and current champion Alexandre Pantoja. In the co-main, José Aldo, the former WEC Featherweight Champion and two-time UFC Featherweight Champion, will make a comeback against Jonathan Martinez for a bantamweight match.
However, UFC 301 left many fans feeling let down after the hugely successful and exciting UFC 300. Even yet, there is some mystery surrounding the UFC’s return to Brazil. Jose Aldo, for example, is making a short-lived comeback to the Octagon, and Alexandre Pantoja is defending his flyweight title against Steve Erceg.
In addition to winning the title via split decision over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, Pantoja has already successfully defended the title once, defeating Brandon Royval at UFC 296 via decision. Erceg has only participated in three UFC fights, but he has demonstrated strong skills thus far in his career.
Aldo has a long record of achievements and is a great mixed martial arts legend. Aldo declared his retirement from the sport at UFC 278 in August 2022 after losing a match against Merab Dvalishvili. Aldo decided to make a comeback to the UFC and will now take on Jonathan Martinez, who is coming off a six-fight winning streak, after boxing a few times during his retirement.
The event will feature a lightweight fight between Vinc Pichel and Ismael Bonfim. The fight between the two was originally scheduled to take place at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis, but it was called off after Bonfim failed to make weight.
At the event, a middleweight fight between Makhmud Muradov and Michel Pereira was scheduled. But Muradov pulled out because of an illness. Ihor Potieria, who is also slated to face Sharabutdin Magomedov at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Chimaev on June 22, took his place.
Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg event Details
Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 8 pm ET
Venue: Farmasi Arena
City: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Enclosure: Octagon
MMA fights: 14
Network: PPV
Livestream: WorldOfSports PPV
How to Watch Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg
Live coverage of UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg will occur from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Farmasi Arena. The main card goes live on PPV at 10 p.m. ET, with the undercard beginning at 8 p.m. ESPN has the undercard available.
For a one-time $19.99, you can use WorldOfSports PPV to access the complete card. WorldOfSports PPV is accessible from anywhere in the world, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
UFC 301 fighter details
- Alexandre Pantoja
Nationality: Brazilian
Nickname: The Cannibal
Age: 34
Pro MMA Record: 27-5-0
Weight Class: Flyweight (125.0 lbs)
Height: 5’5″ (166cm)
Reach: 68.0″ (173cm)
- Steve Erceg
Nationality: Australian
Nickname: AstroBoy
Age: 28
Pro MMA Record: 12-1-0
Weight Class: Flyweight (126.0 lbs)
Height: 5’8″ (173cm)
Reach: 68.5″ (174cm)
- Jonathan Martinez
Nationality: American
Nickname: Dragon
Age: 30
Pro MMA Record: 19-4-0
Weight Class: Bantamweight (136.0 lbs)
Height: 5’8″ (173cm)
Reach: Reach: 69.5″ (177cm)
- José Aldo
Nationality: Brazilian
Nickname: Junior
Age: 37
Pro MMA Record: 31-8-0
Weight Class: Bantamweight (136.0 lbs)
Height: 5’7″ (170cm)
Reach: Reach: 70.0″ (178cm)
UFC 301 fight card
Main Card
- Alexandre Pantoja vs Steve Erceg – UFC Flyweight Championship
- Jonathan Martinez vs Jose Aldo
- Anthony Smith vs Vitor Petrino
- Michel Pereira vs Ihor Potieria
- Paul Craig vs Caio Borralho
Prelim
- Joanderson Brito vs Jack Shore
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Iasmin Lucindo
- Elves Brener vs Myktybek Orolbai
- Jean Silva vs William Gomis
Early prelim
- 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