In the highly anticipated UFC 301 event taking place in Rio de Janeiro this Saturday evening, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his title against the rising contender Steve Erceg. While UFC 300 set the bar high with its stacked lineup, this event has created quite a stir among fans due to Erceg's relatively unknown status.

Erceg, ranked number 10, may not be a household name, but the Australian fighter has been gaining support from fans as he prepares for this pivotal moment in his career. Despite the skepticism surrounding his inclusion in the title fight, Erceg is more than ready to prove his worth.

The preliminary fights leading up to the main card have received mixed reactions from fans, but let's dive into the main card picks:

In the middleweight division, Paul "Bearjew" Craig will face off against Caio Borralho. Both fighters possess strong ground skills, making for an intriguing matchup. Expect the fight to mostly play out on the feet, with Borralho having the advantage in striking. The fight is likely to go the distance, with the prediction leaning towards a decision victory for Borralho.

Michel "Demolidor" Pereira aims to continue his impressive start in the middleweight division as he takes on Ihor Potieria. Pereira's home country advantage and striking prowess make him the favorite, while Potieria's inconsistency and missed weight in his last fight work against him. The prediction points towards a knockout victory for Pereira.

Vitor Petrino, an undefeated fighter, faces his toughest challenge yet against former light heavyweight title contender Anthony Smith. Although Smith holds a significant experience advantage, recent losses make it difficult to envision a win for him. Petrino is expected to come out on top with a decision victory.

"The King of Rio" Jose Aldo returns for the final fight on his current UFC contract, facing off against Jonathan Martinez in the bantamweight division. Aldo's previous defeat and time away from the Octagon raise questions about his ability to overcome the young and hungry Martinez. The prediction favors Martinez, foreseeing a decision victory for him.

In the much-anticipated main event, Alexandre Pantoja looks to solidify his status as one of the greatest flyweight fighters by defending his title against Erceg. Despite Erceg's underdog status, he possesses significant wrestling skills and technical striking that could pose a threat to Pantoja's reign. The expectation is that Erceg's patience and fight IQ will lead to a stunning upset victory in Brazil, possibly by knockout.

As UFC 301 approaches, expectations are high for this intriguing card. Whether the underdogs can rise to the occasion or champions continue their dominance, fight fans can anticipate a thrilling night of MMA action in Rio de Janeiro.