Brazilian MMA fighters Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja find inspiration with soccer legend Zico ahead of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian MMA fighters Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja find inspiration with soccer legend Zico ahead of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian UFC stars Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja linked up with footballing legend Zico at his sports complex ahead of their pay-per-view fights this Saturday.

UFC 301 takes place in Rio de Janeiro this Saturday with Pantoja defending his flyweight title against Australian Steve Erceg in the main event.

The event will also make the return of legendary former featherweight champion Aldo, who retired following a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022.

It is a first fight for Aldo in Brazil in five years as he meets the sharp-striking Jonathan Martinez and both he and Pantoja will be treated like heroes at the Jeunesse Arena.

And they sought to gain some inspiration as they met up with former Brazil playmaker Zico.

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Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja met up with Brazilian football legend Zico this week

The UFC stars looked thrilled as they got the chance to meet the footballing icon

The UFC stars looked thrilled as they got the chance to meet the footballing icon

In this latest episode of UFC 301 Embedded, the pair are seen arriving at Loja Do Zico in Rio.

Speaking to the camera, Aldo says: ‘so we arrived here at Zico’s training facility. Me and Pantoja are going to meet up with Zico. We’re going to play a bit and have a great time here. Cool!’

Pantoja then adds that they are in the middle of fight week but could not miss the opportunity to met their ‘idol’.

The fighters then got the chance to kick a ball around on the training pitch before Zico made his way out jokingly flexing his muscles.

‘What a pleasure, thank you!’ Aldo said before giving the 71-year-old a hug.

The UFC stars then presented Zico with UFC gloves and a fight shirt with his name on it before Pantoja put his championship belt over his shoulder.

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