After claiming a title, many fighters set their sights on becoming double-division champions by moving up or down in weight. When asked about his plans for a second belt, UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja expressed interest in moving up a division but emphasized his goal of maintaining a long-term reign at flyweight.
Pantoja and former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley recently reignited their 2016 sparring feud, with O’Malley claiming he knocked out Pantoja via a liver shot. Pantoja, who has defended his flyweight title twice against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, briefly considered moving up to bantamweight to settle the score. However, with O’Malley losing his title to Merab Dvalishvili, Pantoja has decided to focus on solidifying his reign at flyweight. However, in an interview with MMA Junkie, ‘The Cannibal’ said,
“No, I’m the flyweight champion. want to stay here for a long time. I just thought about (a move) to fight with O’Malley because we have some history before. You know, he talked something bad. I want to prove I beat him in the gym, and I can beat him in a real fight.”
O’Malley has repeatedly stated his intention to reclaim the bantamweight title, making a clash with Pantoja at 135 pounds highly unlikely for now. Instead, fans can look forward to seeing Pantoja defend his flyweight belt against Kai Asakura at UFC 310.
Alexandre Pantoja Eyes Third Consecutive Title Defense at UFC 310
UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year, UFC 310, returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend. Flyweight champion Pantoja will aim for his third consecutive title defense as he faces Kai Asakura. A standout in Rizin for the past eight years, Asakura boasts an impressive record of 21 wins with 13 knockouts.
This fight marks the 31-year-old Japanese star’s UFC debut. He seeks to capture the 125-pound gold and cement his place as a UFC champion. Asakura presents a significant challenge for Pantoja, but whether the reigning champion can hold onto his belt remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the excitement for this fight will be unmatched.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MMA stories via Google! Follow Us
Also Read: Kai Asakura Details Story Of How His Own Brother Tried To Kill Him In A Street Fight
