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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

UFC 301 goes down Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and there are a lot of fun matchups on the card for those in know — including an intriguing title fight at the top, and the return to the octagon of Jose Aldo. And while hardcore fans understand that the event does have the ability to be an enjoyable watch, has the build to it generated the least amount of buzz of any pay-per-view in recent memory?

On an all-new edition of Heck of a Morning, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck takes questions about Saturday’s fight card, some of the compelling matchups, but the noticeable lack of fan excitement for it. Additionally, listener topics include Tom Aspinall’s defense of U.K. fans for the UFC 304 start time, William Gomis’ scary weigh-in on Friday, Steve Erceg being a bit of a darling underdog ahead of his flyweight title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja, and much more.

You can listen live to Heck of a Morning Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. ET on the MMA Fighting Twitter Spaces.

If you miss it live, audio-only versions of the podcast can be found below, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

William Gomis came in a little light for UFC 301. And for good reason.

At Friday’s official weigh-ins, the French featherweight came in at 143 pounds for his bout with Jean Silva, well under the limit for the division. MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz reported that Gomis’ rough showing on the scale came shortly after the fighter vomited backstage.

Watch footage of Gomis’ weigh-in above.

Gomis was visibly uncomfortable on the scale. After his weigh-in, he slowly exited the room with assistance from staff.

As of now, Gomis vs. Silva is expected to take place on the preliminary portion of Saturday’s card as scheduled, though the commission physicians are monitoring Gomis.

Gomis looks to improve to 4-0 in the UFC with a win over Silva, while Silva seeks his second win of 2024 after a first-round finish of Westin Wilson this past January.

Watch another angle of Gomis’ weigh-in below, courtesy of UFC France.

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Does nothing
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Rousey’s screenplay for a biopic on her life has been picked up by the streaming giant, but don’t expect her to appear in the film as an actor.

Ronda Rousey’s story is being turned into a movie, and “Rowdy” doesn’t have to worry about what that story tells because she’s the one who wrote the script.

Deadline broke the news that Netflix has closed a deal with Rousey to distribute a film based on her two memoirs, My Fight / Your Fight and Our Fight. Chernin Entertainment — known for the Planet of the Apes series, The Greatest Showman, and other major films — will produce.

This is the second kick at the can for a Rousey biopic. Paramount snapped up the rights to Ronda’s first book in 2015 but let the rights lapse. Now Netflix has stepped in, and the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion has streaming exec Michelle Evans in her corner as a major fan.

That allowed Rousey to force through an unusual demand regarding the project: that she be allowed to write the script herself (along with her sister Maria Burns Ortiz). During her promotional blitz for Our Fight, Rousey revealed that she had been getting mentored by various Endeavor executives and agents who were helping her brush up on her screenwriting skills.

When they ‘challenged’ her to write a script for her life story, she cranked it out in seven days and reportedly left everyone who read it ‘blown away’ by the quality.

While Ronda Rousey may have skills as a writer, her past acting gigs haven’t led to more starring roles. That includes this movie. The decision has been made to hire an actor to play Rousey, with casting to take place over the coming months.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Jose Aldo is back. Maybe for the last time.

The former featherweight king and bantamweight contender weighed in for the first time in over two-and-a-half years on Friday, successfully coming in at 136 pounds for his co-main event fight at UFC 301 this Saturday. This marks Aldo’s return to action after he stepped away from the octagon in August 2022.

Aldo pursued a boxing career following his exit from the UFC and aims to return to the ring after fighting out the last bout on his current contract with the promotion. His opponent, Jonathan Martinez, also made weight at 136 pounds.

Watch highlights of the official weigh-ins above.

In the main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Steve Erceg both made championship weight at 125 pounds. Pantoja seeks the second defense of his title after defeating Brandon Royval via unanimous decision this past December.

Erceg was the first fighter to step to the scale at Friday morning’s official weigh-ins in Rio de Janeiro. He looks to improve to 4-0 in the UFC with a win over Pantoja and complete one of the most unlikely runs to a belt in MMA history.

All 28 fighters competing on Saturday’s card at Farmasi Arena successfully made weight.

See official UFC 301 weigh-in results below.

Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)

Alexandre Pantoja (125) vs. Steve Erceg (125)

Jonathan Martinez (136) vs. Jose Aldo (136)

Anthony Smith (205.5) vs. Vitor Petrino (206)

Michel Pereira (186) vs. Ihor Potieria (185)

Paul Craig (185) vs. Caio Borralho (186)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)

Jack Shore (145.5) vs. Joanderson Brito (146)

Karolina Kowalkiewicz (116) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116)

Elves Brener (156) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (155.5)

Jean Silva (146) vs. William Gomis (143)

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET)

Joaquim Silva (155.5) vs. Drakkar Klose (156)

Mauricio Ruffy (156) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (155)

Dione Barbosa (126) vs. Ernesta Kareckaite (125.5)

Ismael Bonfim (156) vs. Vinc Pichel (156)

Alessandro Costa (125) vs. Kevin Borjas (125.5)

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Expected to make his return later this year in a title fight showdown with former champion, Stipe Miocic – current heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has weighed up the possibility of a title defense against incumbent light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira – in a stunning clash.

Jones, a former two-time light heavyweight titleholder and the current heavyweight champion, has been sidelined since he landed a first round guillotine choke submission win over Ciryl Gane back in March of last year at UFC 285.

As for Pereira, the Sao Paulo native – a former undisputed middleweight gold holder to boot, successfully defended his 205 pound title at UFC 300 last month, toppling the returning Jamahal Hill with a blistering first round KO win. 

Expected to fight Miocic in his return to the Octagon amid a failed clash last November after Jones suffered a pectoral tendon tear, the Rochester has been heavily chased by interim gold holder, Tom Aspinall – to no avail, however.

Jon Jones talks up a fight with Alex Pereira

And overnight, Jones appeared intrigued by the possibility of facing Pereira in the future – describing the pairing as a “legacy” bout, as well as issuing stark praise to the Sao Paulo striker.

“That’s a bad man,” Jon Jones said of Alex Pereira on his official X account.

“If Alex P became champion of the heavyweight division, would you guys consider him the GOAT?” Jon Jones posted. “Being back in the gym has got me thinking differently. That fight against Stipe maybe the next biggest move I could possibly make. This killer has already defeated so many champions, and is already considered a legend to millions around the world. The most massive fight in the UFC could make. Give Alex a chance to avenge all those great Brazilian champions I’ve defeated.”

“It would be absolutely massive,” Jon Jones posted of a fight with Alex Pereira. “A guy with a chance to be three division champion and a GOAT versus the actual GOAT. Same age, different strengths. No one can argue that that would be the biggest fight in MMA history, There’s absolutely no fight that generates a payday like that. Marketing would be insane.” 

“You actually think me fighting Tom would be more massive than Alex and I colliding?” Jones posted. “Tom only matters in the UK, newsflash. Pereira is one of the most polarizing figures this sport has seen. Tom’s a contender who won a belt against another contender. We had to save Madison Square Garden’s main event. I’m thinking dollar signs, legacy, big picture here. Not what UK fans are dying to see. Literally just went through this with the French fans.” 

Who wins in a future dream fight: Jon Jones or Alex Pereira?

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