Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja meet Brazilian soccer legend Zico as they seek inspiration ahead of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian UFC stars Jose Aldo and Alexandre Pantoja joined forces with soccer 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 defends his flyweight title against Australian Steve Erceg in the main event.

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

It’s Aldo’s first fight in Brazil in five years as he meets sharp-punching Jonathan Martinez, and he and Pantoja will be treated like heroes at the Jeunesse Arena.

And they looked for inspiration by meeting former Brazilian playmaker Zico.

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The UFC stars looked excited to have the chance to meet the football icon.

In this latest episode of UFC 301 Embedded, we see the two men arrive at Loja Do Zico in Rio.

Speaking to the camera, Aldo says: “So we arrived here, at the Zico training center. Pantoja and I are going to meet Zico. We’re going to play a little and have a good time here. Cool!’

Pantoja then adds that they are in the middle of a fight week but that they could not miss the opportunity to meet their “idol”.

Aldo had the honor of meeting the man who is often called the “White Pelé”.

The two Brazilian fighters hugged their hero as they bonded at his training facility.

Aldo and Pantoja gave the former footballer his own UFC fight jersey and gloves

The fighters then had the opportunity to kick a ball around on the training ground before Zico jokingly came out flexing his muscles.

“What a pleasure, thank you!” said Aldo before hugging the 71-year-old.

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

Pantoja described Zico as an idol as he waited for the 71-year-old to make his debut