Jose Aldo vs Jonathan Martinez joins UFC 301 card in Brazil

UFC hall of famer Jose Aldo is set for his Octagon return against Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301. The fight card airs live from Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, May 5 (AEST).

In his final MMA fight in August 2022, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (31-8) dropped a unanimous decision against Merab Dvalishvili. Prior to that, Brazil’s 37-year-old defeated Rob Font, Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera also by UD.

In his previous fight overall, Aldo earned a unanimous decision against Esteban Gabriel Espindola in the six-round boxing match.

Jonathan Martinez (19-4) is riding a six-fight winning streak. The 29-year-old Los Angeles native stopped Adrian Yanez in the second round last time out in Octoner 2023.

As reported by MMA Junkie, the fight was first announced by Ag. Fight via post on X and confirmed by both fighters on social media.

In the main event, Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title against Steve Erceg of Australia. With the addition of Aldo vs Martinez the current UFC 301 lineup looks as the following:

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg, flyweight – Pantoja’s UFC flyweight title
Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez, bantamweight
Michel Pereira vs. Makhmud Muradov, middleweight
Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino, light heavyweight
Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore, featherweight
Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho, middleweight
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo, women’s strawweight
Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose, lightweight
Jean Silva vs. William Gomis, featherweight
Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai, featherweight
Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas, flyweight
Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite, women’s flyweight

Parviz Iskenderov

Parviz Iskenderov is a former Muay Thai fighter, sports manager and editor at FIGHTMAG.

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