May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Alessandro Costa (red gloves) fights against Kevin Borjas (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:35

On a night with the flyweight title on the line in the main event, Alessandro Costa (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) picked a perfect time to make a big impression. Although the Brazil native trains and lives in Mexico, he got the fans rallied in his home country early with a leg kick-heavy second-round TKO of Kevin Borjas (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) to open the card.

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Mauricio Ruffy (red gloves) fights Jamie Mullarkey (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:42

Mauricio Ruffy (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) lived up to whatever hype preceded him when he took out Jamie Mullarkey (17-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) with a first-round TKO. Ruffy mostly had his way with Mullarkey in the standup for the first four or so minutes. Late in the round, he slid for a leg sweep takedown, and that seemed to be the moment his confidence went to the moon. Soon after, he threw a jumping knee, then pieced up Mullarkey to get the finish with 18 seconds left in the opening round of his UFC debut.

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Paul Craig (red gloves) fights Caio Borralho (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:10

Caio Borralho (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was a huge favorite over Paul Craig (17-8-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC) in their main card opener, and he showed why when he took out the Scotsman with a knack for comebacks. While Craig was backing up from some big punches from the Brazilian, Borralho caught him with a few stunners, then a big left hand buckled him.

May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Michel Pereira (red gloves) fights Ihor Potieria (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:54

Michel Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) pulled off a sensational standing guillotine submission of Ihor Potieria (21-6 MMA, 2-4 UFC) that had him tapping, then going out, anyway. But Pereira threw a cartwheel kick prior to that – and it landed precariously close to Potiera’s head while he was grounded. After cageside discussions, ultimately the win stuck.

• Champ Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – to retain flyweight title
• Jose Aldo def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Anthony Smith def. Vitor Petrino vs. via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 2:00
• Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:54
• Caio Borralho def. Paul Craig via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:10
• Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore via TKO (injury) – Round 2, 3:35
• Iasmin Lucindo def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Myktybek Orolbai def. Elves Brener via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
• Drakkar Klose def. Joaquim Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:42
• Dione Barbosa def. Ernesta Kareckaite via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ismael Bonfim def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Alessandro Costa def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:35