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Airing on (YouTube) @ Friday 05.3.2024 at 07:30 AM ET
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Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg headlines UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
At the UFC 301 official weigh-ins, all 28 fighters on Saturday’s fight card will step on the scale early Friday morning in Rio de Janeiro. Watch a live stream of the official weigh-ins above.
In the main event, UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and puts his belt on the line against Steve Erceg. Both fighters will have to hit 125 pounds for their title showdown.
In the co-main event, legendary former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Jonathan Martinez have to step on the scale at 136 pounds or lower for their non-title bantamweight showdown.
The UFC 301 official weigh-ins will start at 8 a.m. ET, and the video is below.
Merab Dvalishvili has big plans for Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The No. 1 contender at 135 pounds wants to challenge bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and he made his intentions clear with his latest video skit directed at “Suga.”
Watch the short clip below.
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A post shared by Merab Dvalishvili (@merab.dvalishvili)
In the skit, Dvalishvili walks down a path lined with gravestones, symbolic of the impressive 10-fight win streak he’s currently on. Former bantamweight champions Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo — Dvalishvili’s two most recent victories — are prominently featured.
Dvalishvili approaches some friends who are digging a fresh grave, before instructing them to halt the work. Dvalishvili tells them that they’re going to need a bigger grave to accommodate the tall O’Malley, while also taking a dig at the considerably shorter Cejudo.
The skit concludes with Dvalishvili calling for O’Malley to defend his title against him on Sept. 14, the date of UFC 306, which takes place at Sphere in Las Vegas. His callout comes in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day, which falls on Sept. 16 this year. Dvalishili actually touted a Mexican flag ahead of his fight with Cejudo, the son of Mexican immigrants.
O’Malley’s next fight is not official, but the champion has stated he expects to fight Dvalishvili next.
Ryan Garcia scored a massive win against Devin Haney two weeks ago (watch highlights); however, on May 1, 2024, he tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing drug (PED), Ostarine, in two Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) tests before and after his win.
Garcia denies he took anything, blaming it on Ashwagandha root.
McGregor, who has heavily supported Garcia since his first professional loss, gave his thoughts on the failed drug test, which aren’t good.
“Cheated the weight and was juiced, lifetime ban,” McGregor wrote in a deleted Twitter post. “Sad to see, sad to say. Sad and a bit sick. Don’t come near me if I see you ever Ryan Garcia. I am actually disgusted. This ostarine it reminds me of Sean O’Malley was on that as well. I don’t like this, I’ll bust yous both up, do yous want a spar. I will set flights right now for you both for a full on spar each. Hotel, black forge inn the lot. #letssparomalley and #garcia two little ostarine heads l’ll ride you both like yous are ostriches.
Wtf is up. What do you think you are at? If I was Haney’s dad, you’re dead no matter what for doing that. Crazy. What the f—ck happened to you, you little fool. Get your head together cos I gonna smash it in with elbows if you don’t. Fair play Devin well done. Your performance has just become even more heroic! Bravo. GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER OR KILL YOURSELF”
McGregor has vehemently been against fighters using steroids in combat sports and always calls it out, especially when USADA was still in the picture.
Although it is still unclear what McGregor took when he excused himself from that program.
Nevertheless, McGregor is clean now because he returns to action next month against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
On the fourth episode of UFC 301 Embedded, Steve Erceg sharpens his skills, Caio Borralho welcomes his family to Rio, Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja spend time with Brazilian soccer legend Zico, and more.
Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has revealed plans are currently in place for him to defend his title in a championship rematch against former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka next, with the promotion working on a date to stage the bout.
Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the incumbent kingpin at 205 pounds, headlined UFC 300 last month – defending that latter crown for the first time.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC
Turning in a stunning first round victory, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira stopped the returning former champion, Jamahal Hill with a blistering first round win, felling the Illinois native with a thunderous finish.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
On that same main card, Czech Republic favorite, Prochazka landed an impressive second round win over fellow European star, Aleksandar Rakic in the pair’s long-anticipated grudge fight, rallying to finish the Serbian-born contender with a stunning knockout.
Alex Pereira confirms plan to rematch Jiri Prochazka next
And staking his claim for a title fight rematch with Pereira in the aftermath of his win at UFC 300 last month, it appears Prochazka is inching closer to seeing his wish fulfilled, with the Brazilian confirming a bout is in the works.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
“Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he’s likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next,” MMA Fighting reporter, Guilherme Cruz posted on his X account. “Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting.”
Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he's likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next. Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting.
Also, scrum videos with UFC 301 guest fighters Charles Oliveira, Alex Grasso and Diego Lopes.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) May 2, 2024
Headlining UFC 295 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Pereira snatched the vacant light heavyweight title with a second round stoppage win over Prochazka, handing the former Rizin FF gold holder his first loss since his transition to the Octagon.
3-0 since his move to the light heavyweight limit last July, Pereira, a GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee turned in a decision victory over another former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in his weight class bow in Salt Lake City at UFC 291.
Who do you think wins in a potential championship re-run: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?
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![Alex Poatan has just said that for now he has given up on the idea of moving up to the heavyweight division of #UFC . [He brought it up with the UFC], but as it didn't move forward, he will keep his focus on light heavyweight. According to him, Jiri Prochazka should be his next rival.](https://external-preview.redd.it/7FzOrG7G96Tjh1F0mTlgDozjl7_uY6OlgSnSFDhPBiE.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=27d80c2ef2e9462c4ba5aae9b962da500893fe83 "Alex Poatan has just said that for now he has given up on the idea of moving up to the heavyweight division of #UFC . [He brought it up with the UFC], but as it didn't move forward, he will keep his focus on light heavyweight. According to him, Jiri Prochazka should be his next rival.")
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