UFC 301 LIVE: UK start time, undercard and how to follow as Jose Aldo ends MMA retirement in Brazil

Jose Aldo will make a sensational return to MMA this weekend when action heads to his native Brazil for UFC 301.

The former two-time featherweight champion retired after a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022.

Aldo is arguably the best featherweight fighter of all timeCredit: gettyThe UFC Hall of Famer then enjoyed a brief boxing stint with three fights last year before deciding to return to Dana White’s company.

‘Scarface’ will battle 19-4 Jonathan Martinez, who is currently riding an impressive six-fight win streak in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

The pair will serve as the co-main event for the headline act of flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title.

The home favourite (27-5 in MMA) will make the second defence of the 135-pound belt against Steve Erceg.

Read more on UFCUFC 301: Date and how to follow UFC 301 is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 and is being held at the Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro.

The preliminary action is set to begin from 11pm UK time before the main card gets going at around 3am UK time.

The headline fight can then be expected at 5am on Sunday morning for UK fans.

Fans can watch the preliminary action live on the UFC Fight Pass.

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You can sign up to the Fight Pass for £6.99/month or £71.99 for the whole year. More details can be found here.

The main card will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office.

TNT Sports subscribers can also tune in via the discovery+ app to watch the action on their laptops or mobile devices.

More details on how to sign up for TNT Sports and watch the event can be found here.

Pantoja has paid his dues and now he’s the best flyweight in MMACredit: GettyUFC 301: UndercardSubject to change

Main card

Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Steve Erceg – for UFC Flyweight Championship
Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo
Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino
Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho
Preliminary card

Jack Shore vs. Joanderson Brito
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Jean Silva vs. William Gomis
Early preliminary card

Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
Mauricio Ruffy vs. Jamie Mullarkey
Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
Alessandro Costa vs. Kevin Borjas

One shot was all McGregor needed to end Aldo’s decade-long winning streakCredit: Getty ImagesUFC 301: What has been said?Erceg is set for a rapid return to the Octagon following his knockout win over Matt Schnell on March 2.

“It is super fast (the turnaround), but I told you I wanted to get to the title as fast as I can,” Erceg told MMA Junkie.

Read More on talkSPORT“I assume they’re probably going to give it to (Muhammad) Mokaev, even off of his poor performance just because that’s what Pantoja asked for. But if they call me, I’m going to step up.

“I’m here to show that I’m the best fighter in the world, so two days, eight days, five weeks, whichever it is, I’ll show up and put on a show.”