UFC 301 main card announced: Alexandre Pantoja battles Steve Erceg in Brazil, Jose Aldo returns

Alexandre Pantoja | Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

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.

Also on the main card, one-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith fights Vitor Petrino, welterweight showman Michel Pereira takes on Ihor Potieria, and Paul Craig faces the streaking Caio Borralho in the middleweight opener.

See the main card lineup for UFC 301 below.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg

Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez

Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino

Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria

Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho