Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing

Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news

An unlikely title fight will headline UFC 301 in Brazil this weekend, as Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt against Steve Erceg.

Pantoja will have the support of his compatriots in Rio, as he looks to make a second successful defence of the title, which he took from Brandon Moreno in July and retained against Brandon Royval in December.

Many fans expected Muhammad Mokaev to be Pantoja’s next challenger, but he has been leapfrogged by 10th-ranked Erceg, who outshone the Briton in March. Mokaev won a narrow decision against Alex Perez, but on the same night, Erceg produced a stunning knockout of Matt Schnell.

With that, the Australian was granted a shot at Pantoja, who won’t be the only Brazilian hero in action this weekend; in the co-main event, featherweight legend Jose Aldo ends his retirement to face Jonathan Martinez at bantamweight.

Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

When is UFC 301?

UFC 301 is scheduled to take place at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday 4 May.

The early prelims are due to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then set for 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday).

How can I watch it?

The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.

Odds

Pantoja – 2/5

Erceg – 2/1

Via Betway. Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers.

Full card (subject to change)

Main card

Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs Steve Erceg (men’s flyweight title)

Jonathan Martinez vs Jose Aldo (bantamweight)

Anthony Smith vs Vitor Petrino (light-heavyweight)

Michel Pereira vs Ihor Potieria (middleweight)

Paul Craig vs Caio Borralho (middleweight)

Prelims

Jack Shore vs Joanderson Brito (featherweight)

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)

Elves Brener vs Myktybek Orolbai (lightweight)

Jean Silva vs William Gomis (featherweight)

Early prelims

Joaquim Silva vs Drakkar Klose (lightweight)

Mauricio Ruffy vs Jamie Mullarkey (lightweight)

Dione Barbosa vs Ernesta Kareckaite (women’s flyweight)

Ismael Bonfim vs Vinc Pichel (lightweight)

Alessandro Costa vs Kevin Borjas (flyweight)

Read More