Brazil has a rich legacy in MMA, especially in the UFC. After all, the Brazilian Gracie family kickstarted the MMA fervor, especially BJJ in the USA. Nevertheless, MMA is not the most popular sport in the country. That title goes to football or soccer in the US. As such, UFC 301 stars Alexandre Pantoja and Jose Aldo linked up with Brazilian football icon Zico, nicknamed the ‘White Pele‘, days before their respective fights.
Unlike Pele, who won three FIFA World Cups, Zico has never won once. Nonetheless, soccer fans revere him as a legend in the sport. The football icon is also a legend of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Pantoja’s favorite club. Flamengo is a club from Rio and UFC 301 is in the same place. As such, Pantoja and Aldo visited Loja Do Zico, the training facility of Zico where the stars received words of wisdom from the icon.
When we live these great moments in life, we have to do what we trained to do. But we also have to go beyond, going beyond is what leads to great victories and achievements. If you understand that you must have respect for the other side. You guys [Aldo and Pantoja] will be prepared for this. You guys know this will.
Zico via UFC Embedded
The stars gifted Zico UFC apparel before they parted ways. Zico wore the UFC hoodie with his name embedded on it, in addition to the gloves. Funnily enough, Zico trained students while he wore the UFC apparel, eliciting humorous questions from his students.
Pantoja is one-half of the main event of UFC 301 with Steve Erceg. The flyweight champion is an overwhelming favorite in the fight. Jose Aldo is on the co-main event, against Jonathan Martinez, an American with Salvadorian and Mexican heritage.
Arthur Antunes Coimbra is not a name familiar to the Brazilians but they know that man as he is better known as Zico. As a legend in Brazil, UFC 301 stars Alexandre Pantoja and Jose Aldo met the star and received inspiration and advice.
Alexandre Pantoja ( Image via Imago )The respect Pantoja has is more evident as he is a diehard fan of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo where Zico is a legend. As such, Pantoja spoke highly of his meeting with the Brazilian icon.
He’s [Zico] an idol. Not just for Flamengo but all of Brazil and is someone who breaks through generations. And to be here, this is a huge privilege for me.
Alexandre Pantoja via UFC Embedded
Pantoja has received inspiration from Zico and thus has extra motivation to defend the flyweight title for the second time. He already has several top 10 victories and is angling for a crack at the bantamweight title of Sean O’Malley. They have sparred in the past, thus making the case for an exciting storyline.
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