Rumored Madonna Concert in Rio de Janeiro Could Take Attention from UFC 301

#Madonna's "Celebration" tour has been a smash hit, earning rave reviews and leaving fans breathless.

To mark the tour's grand finale, the star is throwing a FREE concert for fans in Rio de Janeiro. Click below for details. (📸: MEGA) https://t.co/PmryIpnSZM pic.twitter.com/ylNQ3aQFy3

— Q Magazine (@QMagazine) March 11, 2024

A high-profile concert could potentially take attention away from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s upcoming pay-per-view in Rio de Janeiro.

While it has yet to be confirmed, there are multiple reports that pop star Madonna will perform a massive show at Copacabana Beach on May 4 — the same day as UFC 301. Because the show will be free with an estimated audience of more than 1 million people, it has already made a significant impact in Brazil, with thousands of fans reserving hotels and making plans to attend even before the show was confirmed.

That scheduling conflict is just the latest potential issue for UFC 301. The promotion’s return to Brazil is currently lacking star power after a possible main event between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill was moved to UFC 300 on April 13. Additionally, ex-lightweight champ Charles Oliveira is also slated to compete in a five-round title eliminator against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. Meanwhile, Jailton Almeida’s heavyweight clash against Curtis Blaydes was scheduled for UFC 299, and Paulo Costa recently revealed on social media that UFC 302 would be a better date for him to fight.

Without the likes of Pereira, Oliveira, Costa and Almeida, UFC 301 will depend on some quick turnarounds by other Brazilian athletes. One of those was announced Tuesday, as Vitor Petrino, who just fought on March 2, will face Anthony Smith at the Rio de Janeiro event. Michel Pereira, who was victorious at UFC 299 this past Saturday, is also asking for a spot on the UFC 301 bill.

“I'm clean as I was before the fight. After a year and a half out of the Octagon I want to work more in 2024. Fighting for a Brazilian audience is a dream to me. I´m coming from a sequence of seven wins, it´s time to get a ranked guy. The only guy I know the name of in that division is [Khamzat] Chimaev and I would love to fight him,” Pereira told Sherdog after UFC 299.

I have improved my takedown defense a lot lately, and I’m already better than him in striking. I think we could make a wonderful show. But if he is a star and UFC wants to give me another name, I´ll be ready too. UFC Rio, let´s go baby.”