Amazonians enter the octagon at UFC Rio 301

The UFC Rio 301 card has the presence of three Amazonians in its squad in the event whose main fight will be the flyweight belt dispute (56.7kg), between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve ‘Astro Boy’ Erceg, in addition to the co- main fight that will feature José Aldo facing Jonathan Martinez, in a bantamweight fight (61.2kg). UFC Fight Pass broadcasts the fights from 6pm (Manaus time).

In his last fight under his contract, José Aldo returns to the UFC Octagon, where he reigned in the top category (featherweight). In the organization’s Hall of Fame, to this day the Nova União fighter has the record for winning featherweight title fights, with eight victories. At a press conference, Manauara said.

“I had already been training very hard because of this fight that was being scheduled. When we signed with the UFC, the only thing that changed was the training. I wasn’t retiring, quit, fat, eating and wanted to fight again. I was already in a very strong position”, declared Aldo.

In recent years, José Aldo dedicated himself to Boxing, where he had three fights, winning twice and obtaining a draw. The last time the Amazonian fighter entered the ring was against Esteban Gabriel Espindola. José Aldo will have his 40th fight in MMA and will be looking for his 32nd victory. The fighter from the Alvorada neighborhood was featherweight champion in the UFC and the now-defunct WEC.

José Aldo returns to the UFC octagon, where he reigned in the top division (featherweight). Aldo holds the record for featherweight victories (Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)

Defending the brand Treated as one of the promises of Chute Boxe Diego Lima was nationally highlighted in 2023 for having won all the fights he fought, the Amazonian from Maués (257km from the capital) Elves Brener will begin his journey in 2024 against the Kyrgyz Myktybek Orolbai, in lightweight fight (70.3kg), on the preliminary card of UFC Rio 301.

Training partner of former lightweight champion, Charles Do Bronx, Elves arrived at the organization in 2023 and has not had an easy life. He immediately started a war against Zubaira Tukhugov, winning a split decision in February. Five months later it was time for another big fight, in which Brener literally ‘bled’ to turn the fight around and knock out Guram Kutateladze in the third round.

Four months later, at the UFC Fight Night that took place in São Paulo, Elves knocked out compatriot Kaynan Kruschewsky in the first round, who took the fight at the last minute, as Elves’ original opponent ended up having problems. And just as 2023 ended, Elves begins 2024 with a fight scheduled on Brazilian soil, but this time in Rio. About his last season, the Amazonian said.

“2023 was a wonderful year and I’m sure that 2024 will be even better. I want to have at least three more fights and I’m excited about that, working hard and we’re going for another victory. I’m in the UFC to work. I don’t have to choose an opponent, choose so-and-so, I see myself ready to fight anyone in the category, so whoever they send me, the date, you can be sure that I’ll be ready on that day.”

Myktybek Orolbai is also a strong promise in the division and is only 26 years old. With 12 wins and just one loss in his career, the Kyrgyz who trains at Team Alpha Male arrived in the UFC in November 2023 and submitted the American Uros Medic in the second round. In the only defeat of his career, Orolbai lost a unanimous decision, fighting in the ACA.

Amazonian fighter Elves Brenner will begin his journey in 2024 against Kyrgyz Myktybek Orolbai, in a lightweight fight (70.3kg), on the UFC Rio 301 preliminary card (Photo: Pedro Vilela/Zyffa LLC via Getty Imagens)

“It’s going to be a very good fight. I’m looking forward to seeing the questions that Orolbai brings to me and I’m sure he will be impressed with the answers I’m going to give. I trained a lot in grappling, a lot in striking and I’m ready to put on another show and take the victory to Amazonas.”

Asked about how he sees himself winning this fight, the Amazon native said yes. “I see myself ending this fight by submitting or knocking out, I don’t believe it will be decided by the judges. But you can be sure that, if it goes until the end of the third round, I will be standing and more whole than him. After that, I still don’t have a name in the rankings to choose from, I know there are a lot of interesting guys to face, but without rushing, we need to be patient,” he said.

Seeking his second victory within the organization, Alessandro ‘Nono’ Costa faces Peruvian Kevin Borjas, this Saturday, in a fight valid for flyweight (56.7kg), opening the preliminary card. With a negative record within Ultimate, Nono has two defeats, both in fights in which the kid from the Petrópolis neighborhood ended up taking it at the last minute, without the time to prepare.

“2023 was a year of a lot of experience for me. I learned a lot and I feel very different now, because I worked hard to correct my mistakes and improve my qualities even better. In the main fight, Erceg was the only one in the rankings who was available at the time and he seized the opportunity, he did the right thing”, analyzed Alessandro, who says he trusts the preparation he made for the duel.

“Kevin has never fought anyone at my level. His striking doesn’t scare me, I don’t underestimate him either, but I trust my hands too. My jiu-jitsu will also be in the game, I’m still very dangerous and it would be incredible to finish this fight and represent my Manaus jiu-jitsu.”