UFC 300 delivered in a big way, and it has MMA fans chomping at the bit to watch UFC's next pay-per-view event: UFC 301. While UFC 301 might not be as big as its predecessor, it is a big deal anytime the sport goes to Brazil, as that is a hot spot for jiu-jitsu practitioners. In this article, we will explain everything that you need to know about UFC 301.
When and where is UFC 301?
UFC 301 is on Saturday, May 4. The event will start at 6 p.m. ET with the early prelims. The prelims will follow that up at 8 p.m. ET, and finally, the main card will start at 10 p.m. ET. The action will take place at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
How to watch UFC 301
The main card will be available exclusively through pay-per-view purchase via ESPN+. Additionally, you can watch the prelims on ESPN+ or ESPN2, and the early prelims will be viewable on UFC Fight Pass.
The broadcast team will look a little different than normal, as Joe Rogan will have the night off. Paul Felder will take his place as a color commentator. He will be joined by Daniel Cormier in that role, while Jon Anik will lead the crew as the play-by-play caller. Kayrn Bryant will serve as the backstage interviewer and in-house reporter.
Date: Saturday, May 4 | Time: 10 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Farmasi Arena — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
How to watch: ESPN+ pay-per-view (main card)
Odds: Pantoja -210
UFC 301 fight card
Main card:
Flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Steve Erceg, title bout (main event)
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
Middleweight: Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
Middleweight: Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho
Prelims:
Featherweight: Jack Shore vs. Joanderson Brito
Women's strawweight: Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Lightweight: Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Featherweight: Jean Silva vs. William Gomis
Early prelims:
Lightweight: Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey
Women's flyweight: Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
Lightweight: Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
Flyweight: Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas
Main event
The flyweight division is the weirdest in the UFC right now. There has been a lot of change at the top in recent years, as the belt has switched hands five times since Henry Cejudo vacated the title to focus on the bantamweight division. Alexandre Pantoja has taken control of the division and proven that he is the best 125-pounder, though.
Pantoja – the current Flyweight Champion – has taken care of almost everyone in the top-10 of his weight class. He defended his title for the first time at UFC 296, and he would become only the third fighter to ever defend the flyweight belt multiple times if he is able to walk away victorious again at UFC 301.
Because of Pantoja's prior success against most top fighters in the division, he will be taking on an unexpected contender. Steve Erceg is the 10th-ranked flyweight and has only three UFC fights under his belt, but he will have a chance to do the unthinkable and perform one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.
Pantoja has been dominant as of recent, and he will have some extra motivation fighting in his home country. Erceg is not to be underestimated, though. The young fighter nicknamed Astroboy is 12-1 in MMA and is one of the best up-and-comers in the sport.
Main card
Pantoja won't be the only Brazilian fighting on the Brazil card. In fact, 14 different Brazilians are slated to fight at UFC 301. That includes one massive name in the co-main event. Jose Aldo – arguably the greatest featherweight in UFC history – is coming out of retirement to fight in his home country. In his prime, Aldo won the featherweight belt twice and defended it seven times, but he hasn't fought since 2022.
Aldo is a much better striker than most Brazilians, as the country usually focuses on the ground game, but he will be taking on another fighter who is dangerous with his hands in Jonathan Martinez. Martinez has won his last six fights.
Anthony Smith has had a long career in the UFC, and he even contended for the light heavyweight championship once. He has suffered some unfortunate losses in recent years, though, which makes his fight against Vitor Petrino a must-win. Petrino is yet another surging Brazilian.
Also on the main card is two intriguing middleweight bouts. The first fight on the main card is between Paul Craig and Caio Borralho, the 13th and 14th-ranked fighters in the division. Both fighters thrive when it comes to grappling, so you can expect this one to go to the ground. Michael Pereira will also take on Ihor Potieria in the middleweight division. Pereira is a former welterweight who is extremely quick, while Potieria is a former light heavyweight who is incredibly strong, and the fight will be a fun contrast of skillsets.
The summer of 2024 will be one of the biggest summers ever for the UFC. UFC 300 started the action off hot, and UFC 301 is sure to carry the torch until Conor McGregor returns at UFC 303.
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