Alexandre Pantoja, the reigning flyweight champion within the UFC, is gearing up for a challenging bout at UFC 310 against opponent Kai Asakura. Nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’, Pantoja holds an impressive record of 28 wins, 5 losses, and two successful title defenses. A victory against Asakura on the horizon may allow him to dictate future matchups. A dream matchup for Pantoja is a bout with former bantamweight champion of ONE Championship and established flyweight legend, Demetrious Johnson.
Pantoja’s yearning for a faceoff with Johnson stems from his deep respect for the latter’s unparalleled prowess in the Octagon. If given a choice to square off against any fighter, Pantoja would undisputedly pick ‘Mighty Mouse’, Johnson’s famed alias. According to Pantoja, a bout against Johnson would be a fantastic opportunity for Johnson to pit his skills against some of the top flyweights on the global stage.
Pantoja’s high opinion of Johnson isn’t groundless. Johnson holds an admirable record in the UFC, with 11 consecutive title defenses under his belt. In 2018, the UFC enacted a swap with ONE Championship, trading Johnson for Ben Askren. Following his shift to the new platform, Johnson continued his run, clinching the bantamweight championship title.
Although he faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of Adriano Moraes in 2021, Johnson wasn’t one to accept defeat easily. He redeemed his champion status twice, making reparations for his earlier loss to Moraes. After a glorious career, Johnson announced his retirement from professional MMA this year, listing himself as one of the most successful fighters in history.
But even before Pantoja can entertain dreams of such high-profile matchups, he first needs to defend his title effectively against Kai Asakura. Asakura will be making his UFC debut in the main event at UFC 310, which is scheduled to take place on December 7. Pantoja views the upcoming fight as an opportunity to carve another notch on his legacy by providing a stage for rising stars.
Pantoja believes that, following his bout with Asakura, it would be in his best interest to face someone already within the flyweight rankings. By doing so, he would be providing them an opportunity to compete for the championship title. As a reigning champion, Pantoja feels such an opportunity would keep the competition within the division lively and dynamic.
Currently, Pantoja confidently asserts that he has triumphed over all the fighters in the division. Those rivals he hasn’t personally defeated have been overcome by fighters he has bested. As such, he maintains a clear competitive edge within the division. However, his immediate focus remains on the upcoming challenge at UFC 310, where his formidable adversary would be Kai Asakura.
Pantoja’s approach to his future matches hints at a strategic outlook of defending against rising stars while eyeing high-profile matches. This vision emphasizes his competitive spirit and belief in allowing upcoming athletes a shot at stardom. But, it’s clear that Pantoja’s ultimate dream is to fight Johnson, whom he views as a true measure of a fighter’s skillset.
While his concentration currently lies with his fight against Asakura, Pantoja can’t help but show his admiration for ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. Pantoja respects Johnson’s legacy and considers an ideal fight would be one where he can step into the Octagon against the acclaimed fighter.
Johnson is considered a titan in the world of MMA fighting, with an impeccable record of consecutive UFC title defenses and later, a successful transition to ONE Championship. Despite a disappointing loss to Moraes in 2021, Johnson bounced back and proved his worth by retaliating and retiring as a celebrated fighter.
Even with the hesitation surrounding Johnson’s age and time out of the professional rings, Pantoja remains hopeful of a match with him. He believes that despite the age difference, Johnson can still manage to deliver high-level fighting, thereby making a faceoff against him an excellent opportunity to gauge his own capabilities.
For now, UFC 310 merrily looms on Pantoja’s horizon, with the promising newcomer, Kai Asakura, on the other end of the UFC Octagon. Nevertheless, the notion of dream matchups with legends like Johnson continues to taunt the back of Pantoja’s mind, adding a nostalgic allure to his future fight prospects.
With all these thoughts, Pantoja emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present challenge. He understands that a win against Asakura is pivotal in his journey towards his dream match. Therefore, all his training and strategy are dedicated to conquering the immediate hurdle- UFC 310.
Pantoja is a rare breed of champion who seems to enjoy the thrill of climbing up the ladder all over again. He understands that to keep the sport alive and competitive, he must be willing to face fresh talents in the ring. This unique approach is testament to his status as champion- thriving not only on defending a title, but also enhancing the sport’s range and scope.
Currently, Pantoja’s eyes are set on the upcoming challenge against Kai Asakura at UFC 310. While he does cherish the dream of locking horns with his idol, Demetrious Johnson, he realizes that his present commitment demands his undeterred attention. After all, only by consistently proving his steel in the Octagon can he ever hope to make his dream a reality.