Pantoja
15
Apr

Alexandre Pantoja battles Steve Erceg in Brazil, Jose Aldo returns

Alexandre Pantoja is set to headline his first UFC pay-per-view.

The main card lineup for UFC 301 was confirmed Saturday during the UFC 300 broadcast, with Pantoja defending his flyweight title in his home country of Brazil against Australia’s Steve Erceg.

UFC 301 takes place at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro on May 4.

Pantoja seeks the second defense of his belt when he fights Erceg, a somewhat surprising challenger who earned his shot on the back of a 3-0 start to his UFC career. Overall, Erceg has won 11 straight fights.

The co-main event features the return of the legendary Jose Aldo. Often referred to as “The King of Rio,” Aldo seemingly retired from MMA in 2022 following a spectacular 18 career that included two reigns as UFC featherweight champion. He takes on rising contender Jonathan Martinez.