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Alex Pereira calls for heavyweight title fight with Tom Apsinall at UFC 301 on May 4

MixCollage 14 Apr 2024 01 20 AM 9240 After making quick work of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Alex Pereira has his sights set on a quick…

After making quick work of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, Alex Pereira has his sights set on a quick turnaround and heavyweight gold.

Stepping inside the Octagon to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time, ‘Poatan’ delivered another jaw-dropping finish, putting ‘Sweet Dreams’ to sleep with a slick left uppercut that sent Hill crashing to the canvas. A few ground-and-pound shots later, that was all she wrote.

Speaking with Joe Rogan immediately following his seventh career win inside the Octagon, Pereira alluded to a potential showdown with reigning interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall at UFC 301 next month when the promotion returns to Rio de Janeiro.

“I want to keep continuing to defend this belt,” Pereira said. “I talked a lot about fighting in Brazil if I won this fight. I won this fight. I’m not hurt. Nothing happened. I know there needs to be a lot of promotion behind a fight, but I want to have a fight at heavyweight.”

As exciting as Alex Pereira’s uFC 301 proposal is, it’s not very likely

With the UFC’s next pay-per-view event a mere three weeks away, it’s hard to imagine that the promotion can pull together such a massive fight in such a short period.

Play-by-play man Jon Anik also suggested during the UFC 300 broadcast that Pereira may have suffered some kind of injury to his foot during his brief encounter with Hill which could further complicate things.

Still, it’s an exciting proposal and one that could help bolster UFC 301 — a card sorely lacking in star power.

Conor McGregor praises Jose Aldo for snapping retirement at UFC 301: ‘I’m really happy to see him back’

Reacting to the news of former-foe, Jose Aldo’s stunning, retirement-snapping comeback to mixed martial arts at UFC 301 in…

Reacting to the news of former-foe, Jose Aldo’s stunning, retirement-snapping comeback to mixed martial arts at UFC 301 in May, Conor McGregor has claimed he’s happy to see the Brazilian make a return to the Octagon.

Aldo, the promotion’s inaugural featherweight champion and recent Hall of Fame inductee, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 in two months’ time in his native Brazil, taking on bantamweight contender, Jonathan Martinez.

Sidelined from mixed martial arts for almost two years time by the time of his comeback, Manaus favorite, Aldo most recently saw a three-fight winning run halted by expected next title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili in a decision loss to the Georgian.

Conor McGregor backs Jose Aldo ahead of UFC return

And booked to return following a pair of professional boxing matches in his time away from the Octagon, WEC veteran, Aldo takes on Martinez – and despite sharing one of the most distinct rivalries in the sport’s history with ex-two-weight champion, McGregor, the Brazilian received massive praise for making a return.

“Look at (Jose) Aldo now, [it’s] great to see Jose back,” Conor McGregor told MMA Fighting. “I was really happy to see Jose back. I was actually taken aback that he did retired when he did retire.”

“He was a contestant for the f*cking title,” Conor McGregor. “He was in title contention in my opinion, where I was looking. He was very unlucky to not actually scoop the title. And, you know, he fought the champions, and whatnot. … Now he’s back, I’m delighted to see him back. [He’s a] tremendous goer, always great for the company. And, there you go, let’s go.”

Conor McGregor hints at UFC 300 return with possible announcement during Super Bowl — Mandatory Credit: Las Vegas Review Journal

Fighting in a featherweight championship unification bout back in 2015, McGregor, the then-interim titleholder turned in a record-setting knockout win over Aldo in just 13 seconds, unifying the championships and handing the Brazilian his first promotional defeat.

What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s praise for rival Jose Aldo?

Report – Alex Pereira plans UFC 301 title fight in Brazil, agrees deal to compete 21 days after return at UFC 300

As part of negotiations to fight atop a monumental UFC 300 card next month in Las Vegas, undisputed light…

As part of negotiations to fight atop a monumental UFC 300 card next month in Las Vegas, undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira apparently came to an agreement with the organization that should he swiftly defeat Jamahal Hill at the event – he could make a stunning 21-day turnaround against fight atop a UFC 301 pay-per-view card in his native Brazil.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the current undisputed light heavyweight titleholder, is scheduled to make his first attempted defense of that latter belt next month at UFC 300, welcoming ex-champion, Hill back to the Octagon in a high-profile main event slot on the card.

Winning gold back in November against another former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka, Sao Paulo knockout ace, Pereira felled the Czech Republic native with a second round win – with the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame star minting himself as a two-division champion.

Alex Pereira claims he's back in cryptic post on social media amid links to fight at UFC 300 — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Confirming plans to make a hasty return once he deals with Hill at UFC 300, Alex Pereira – according to former lightweight contender, Josh Thomson, has worked out a deal with the Dana White-led organization which would see him fight just 21-days later at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.

Alex Pereira lands deal to fight at UFC 301 in homecoming

“I also heard that if [Alex Pereira] gets out of the Jahamal [Hill fight] at 300, he wants to be on that card [UFC 301],” Thomson said during an episode of WEIGHING IN. “Apparently that was part of his contract negotiation. If he gets the win, and he comes out healthy, that he’s allowed to fight on that card. Yeah, that was part of I guess apparently his agreement to fighting on 300.”

Confirming plans to make a quickfire comeback less than a month later – potentially against a grappling threat, with fans pointing to a potential clash with Magomed Ankalaev – Alex Pereira confirmed he would be available to fight on the card in a Brazilian homecoming.

Alex Pereira tipped to struggle with Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 he has more weapons to win Jiri Prochazka — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“If everything works out, right?” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “First, I have to win this fight [with Jamahal Hill]. I work with the reality, I can lose, I can win, either can happen. But I’m doing everything I can to leave with a victory. If everything works out, I can do it. I can say to you guys, every fight I’ve done in the UFC, I had the conditions, the ability, to do it.” [H/T MMA Mania]

Currently, UFC 301 at the Jeunesse Arena features an undisputed flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja, and the number ten ranked, Steve Erceg – while Hall of Fame star and former undisputed featherweight champion, Jose Aldo makes his stunning return after almost two years away from the sport.

Alexandre Pantoja opens as big betting favorite to beat Steve Erceg in UFC 301 title fight in Brazil

Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an…

Set to make his homecoming in May at UFC 301, undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja has opened as an impressive betting favorite to defeat surging division contender, Steve Erceg in the pair’s title offing in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

Pantoja, the current undisputed flyweight champion, has been sidelined since last December, landing an impressive decision win over recent UFC Mexico City headliner, Brandon Royval in the duo’s championship rematch.

As for Erceg, the three-fight promotional veteran cracked the flyweight top ten at the beginning of the month, landing a blistering knockout win over Matt Schnell – which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, and subsequently, he is first title siege.

Alexandre Pantoja opens as favorite to beat Steve Erceg

And with betting lines officially on offer for UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja is currently riding an impressive -258 betting favorite line over the +210 betting underdog, Steve Erceg ahead of their title showdown at the Jeunesse Arena.

A host of betting sites and markets are already offering odds on Pantoja’s title fight return to his native Brazil against Erceg, and punters can also play their favorite slot games and other betting games – which includes the chance to play a Big Bamboo Demo game whilst punting on May’s return to South America for the UFC.

Striking championship spoils back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Pantoja, the current number ten ranked pound-for-pound ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion – did so with a third career win over former two-time champion, Brandon Moreno.

Extending his impressive winning spree to five straight fights with his title defense win over Royval back in December, Pantoja turned in prior submission wins over Alex Perez, and Royval before that – to go with a decision success against the highly-touted Angolan-born contender, Manel Kape.

Improving to 12-1 as a professional with his knockout win over Schnell, Western Australia prospect, Erceg had landed a pair of victories against both David Dvorak and Alessandro Costa in his first two outings under the banner of the UFC – making his debut just last summer in June.

Fighting for gold in May, Erceg’s involvement at UFC 301 will come as a swift title charge for the Perth-born contender, who will be just eleven months deep into his tenure with the promotion by the time he faces Pantoja later this year in Brazil.

Along with Pantoja’s championship fight against Erceg at UFC 301, over the weekend, reports confirmed that former undisputed featherweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo would be snapping his almost two-year retirement from the sport in a bantamweight fight against Jonathan Martinez.

Aldo, a fan-favorite striker and the promotion’s inaugural featherweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to surging number one ranked bantamweight contender, Merab Dvalishvili – snapping a three-fight winning spree against Rob Font, Pedro Munhoz, and a decision win over most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera – who challenged for gold just earlier this month at UFC 299 against the incumbent, Sean O’Malley.

Who wins at UFC 301 in May: Alexandre Pantoja or Steve Erceg?

Breaking – Jose Aldo snaps retirement, set to fight Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Brazil return

Former undisputed featherweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo is set to snap his almost two year…

Former undisputed featherweight champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo is set to snap his almost two year retirement from mixed martial arts competition in a spectacular return to the sport at UFC 301 on May 4. in his native Brazil – taking on Jonathan Martinez at the bantamweight limit.

Aldo, a former undisputed featherweight titleholder and recent Hall of Fame inductee under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since August 2022, most recently dropping a one-sided decision loss to surging current number one bantamweight, Merab Dvalishvili.

Aldo HOF 2 — Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neill – Zuffa LLC

Sidelined from mixed martial arts in the time since, Manaus fan-favorite, Aldo made his professional boxing debut in the time in a rematch against Jeremy Stephens – fighting to a majority draw in April of last year. In his sophomore outing, Aldo turned in a unanimous decision win over Esteban Gabriel Espindola in Rio de Janeiro.

Jose Aldo is set to fight Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301

And according to a report tonight from Brazilian outlet, AgFight, Aldo is set to make his return to the Octagon in shocking fashion – taking on number fourteen ranked contender, Martinez in a pay-per-view return at UFC 301 in May.

“BREAKING! UFC forwards Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez for UFC 301,” The outlet posted on their official X account, as per Google Translate.

BREAKING! UFC encaminha Jose Aldo vs Jonathan Martinez para o UFC 301

— Ag. Fight (@AgFight) March 16, 2024

Boasting a 31-8 professional, record, Aldo saw an impressive three-fight winning run halted in his loss to the above-mentioned, Dvalishvili, which included a run of wins over Rob Font, compatriot, Pedro Munhoz, and a decision shutout over most recent bantamweight title challenger, Marlon Vera.

Himself in the midst of an impressive six-fight winning run, Martinez most recently recorded a second round TKO victory over Adrian Yanez after landing a slew of leg kicks to force a stoppage success.

May’s return for Aldo on home soil will come as the South American favorite’s first outing in Brazil since a 2019 title-eliminator fight with former pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski.

UFC 301 takes place on May 4. from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – with an undisputed flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja, and Steve Erceg slated to take place.

How happy are you to see the iconic Jose Aldo make his return at UFC 301 in May?

Official – Alexandre Pantoja set to fight Steve Erceg in title clash at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4

Undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja is set for his return to the Octagon later this summer – on home…

Undisputed flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja is set for his return to the Octagon later this summer – on home soil in a title fight defense against current number ten ranked contende, Australia’s Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on May 4. in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the Jeunesse Arena.

Pantoja, the current undisputed flyweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 296 back in December, successfully defending his title in a rematch win over recent UFC Mexico City headliner, Brandon Royval – in turn lodging his first successful title defense.

As for Erceg, the three-fight Octagon veteran appears to have earned his first crack at organizational gold off the back of a second round KO win over Matt Schnell earlier this month at UFC Vegas 87 – which also landed him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Alexandre Pantoja meets Steve Erceg at UFC 301

The promotion’s official UFC Brasil account confirmed the pairing of Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg for the May pay-per-view card in South America this Friday night.

Alexandre Pantoja UFC Sergei Belski USA TODAY Sports — Jul 27, 2019; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Deiveson Figueriredo (blue gloves) and Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) during UFC 240 at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

“Main fight confirmed,” the UFC Brasil account posted tonight, as translated by Google Translate. “The flyweight champion @PantojaMMA fights at home and defends his belt against Steve Erceg at #UFC301, in Rio de Janeiro.”

Initially winning gold back in July of last year during International Fight Week, Pantoja turned in another career win over defending champion, Brandon Moreno, to land the championship in a split decision success.

The victory came as part of an impressive current five fight winning run for Rio native, Pantoja, who previously landed wins over Alex Perez, the above-mentioned, Royval, and a decision success against the highly-touted, Manel Kape.

12-1 as a professional, submission expert, Erceg landed in the Dana White-led promotion back in June of last year with a decision win over David Dvorak, before besting Alessandro Costa at UFC 295 in another judging win in Madison Square Garden in November last – prior to his knockout of Schnell earlier this month.

Who leaves Brazil with gold after UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja or Steve Erceg?