UFC returns to Brazil on May 4 for a PPV event, the line-up for which is yet to be announced. However, it’s safe to say, UFC will look to book the current top Brazilian names in the UFC, and the list would be incomplete without the only Brazilian UFC Champion who doesn’t have a fight coming up: Alexandre Pantoja.
But it appears we might have a potential match-up for Pantoja for UFC 301 and in none other surging flyweight Muhammad Mokaev, who picked up his sixth straight UFC victory with a unanimous decision win over Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 87.
“6-0 in the UFC, four finishes. Listen, 301, ten weeks from today, I’m ready to fight for the belt. Hey, Dana, Hunter, Mick, give me this chance.” Mokaev said.
Watch Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC Vegas 87 post-fight Octagon interview below.
UFC 301 goes down on May 4 in Brazil
The UFC will return to the turf of many a former UFC Champion as it makes its way to Brazil later this year. It remains to be seen who will be the main event at the UFC PPV, but Alexandre Pantoja is a front-runner to take the spot.
Last month, Brandon Royval called out Pantoja following his decision victory over Brandon Moreno back at UFC Mexico.
Whether or not the UFC will book yet another rematch for the UFC Flyweight gold, only time will tell, but the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev sounds like a good option if the promotion is looking at fresh-match-ups. However, the same case can be made for Amir Albazi and Manel Kape.
“I’m here in the organization to fight the best of the best.”
Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) battled adversity and hopes he did enough to earn a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja. #UFCVegas87 Results, Interviews & More ➡️: https://t.co/mcGBUourOs
— UFC News (@UFCNews) March 2, 2024
Alex Pereira has also hinted at the possibility of fighting at UFC 301, having already scheduled to fight at UFC 300 in the main event of the evening on April 13 in Las Vegas. Poatan will make history if he manages to accomplish the feat and headline back-to-back PPVs.
With Charles Oliveira, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Rafael dos Anjos, Gilbert Burns set to fight in the upcoming PPVs before UFC 301, one can assume other Brazilian fighters like Edson Barboza, Johnny Walker, or even Paulo Costa can make their presence felt come May 4.