UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg in the final

The UFC is back in Brazil for its 301st opus, the final of which will pit Alexandre Pantoja (27-5-0) against Steve Erceg (12-1-0) on Saturday.

Pantoja will be making his second defense of his flyweight title.

In front of a partisan crowd, Pantoja will put his title on the line against Erceg, who earns a title shot after just three wins in the UFC. Erceg sufficiently impressed the organization’s monks despite his meager experience to deserve to step into the octagon against the title holder.

At 37 years old, José Aldo can say mission accomplished for his return to the octagon, and in front of his supporters.

The Brazilian was able to sign a victory by unanimous decision in front of Jonathan Martinez, thanks to three cards of 30 to 27 from the judges.

Aldo was defeated by Merab Dvalishvili in his last appearance in the octagon in August 2022. Many wondered how the veteran would appear in this clash. He was able to stand out and impose his style for his first fight in Brazil since May 2019. In the third round, he shook Martinez and then succeeded in being thrown to the ground.

In an interview after his fight, Aldo hinted that he intended to step into the octagon again. He wants to look with his team and the UFC leaders to see what can come his way.

Michel Pereira stood out during his fight against Ihor Potieria earlier in the evening.

Pereira was able to send his rival to the mat with a combination from the start of the fight. He then followed up with a spectacular maneuver of which he has the secret. He performed a backflip to fall on his opponent who was still on the ground.

Potieria was able to get up, but Pereira immediately trapped his head under his arm to complete the choke and force him to give up in the 54th second of the clash.

The officials met after the end of the fight to discuss whether during his dive, Pereira had not hit his rival in the face with his knee while he was on the ground. The original verdict stood and Pereira’s victory was confirmed.

Furthermore, veteran Anthony Smith had the upper hand with a submission in the first round of his fight against Vitor Petrino.

Smith, 35, had lost three of his last four fights and his only victory came by split decision against Ryan Spann. Petrino, meanwhile, was undefeated with an 11-0 record in his young career with seven of those victories coming via knockout. But that was before facing Smith.