'Maybe I'll wait for Merab or Umar'… Alexandre Pantoja teases move to 135lbs after retaining flyweight title at UFC 310
12/08/2024 04:33 AM
In the main event of UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja did what Alexandre Pantoja was expected to do; walk through fire and retain his flyweight championship with another slick submission.
Whilst the flyweight champion's post-fight callout might have already been dismissed by the 125lb GOAT, 'The Cannibal' also teased that he's got one eye on the division above him.
Alexandre Pantoja teases move to bantamweight after FW GOAT rejects offer
In the main event of UFC 310 last night, Alexandre Pantoja retained his flyweight championship title in impressive fashion: submitting promotional newcomer Kai Asakura via a second-round RNC, the 11th submission win of his career.
Speaking to Joe Rogan in the octagon, Pantoja opted not to call out any active UFC flyweight, but instead took aim at the consensus greatest 125lber in history, Demetrious Johnson.
“I’m the GOAT in here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back."
Unfortunately, 'Mighty Mouse' appears to have moved against making such a comeback, writing on X: "Guys I got offered 2 million dollars to fight!! I turned it down I don't care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon."
The good news is that Pantoja already has another idea in mind as to what his next career step could be; telling McKenzie Pavacich via UFC News that he'd be open to a big-money move up to bantamweight.
"Demetrious, it's not about the money brother, we don't talk about millions [of dollars] here. We're talking about fighting the best in the world…
"Of course, I don't want Dana White to lose more hair, I don't want to be thinking about that, so I don't know what's next for me. Maybe I'll wait for Merab or Umar, you know?"
Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov has just been confirmed for the co-main event of UFC 311 in January 2025, with the pair already getting into it backstage during this week's pre-fight press conference.
A true student of the game, Pantoja would justify the move by explaining that he wants to keep challenging himself, which now after his third consecutive title defense, is more than merited.
"It's about challenging [myself], I'm here for that. I fight tonight for challenges, and that's how I fight my whole life, for challenges."
Whilst it would be fascinating to see how Pantoja looks at 135lbs, the Brazilian did acknowledge at the post-fight press conference that such a move could be more of an eventual prize, rather than an immediate next step.
"I want to keep this division alive, I love all of the fighters, I think there's so much excitement in this division right now… That's not something that I am thinking [about] right now, but if the UFC wants that, just give me the money."
With wins over Kape, Royval, Moreno, Erceg, and now Asakura under his belt – who would you like to see Alexandre Pantoja fight next?
