Alexandre Pantoja believes he’s climbing up the GOAT rankings.
On Saturday, Pantoja efficiently defended his flyweight title, submitting Kai Asakura within the second spherical at UFC 310. The win was Pantoja’s third title protection, shifting him to second on the UFC’s record behind all-time nice Demetrious Johnson. And with a number of wins excessive contenders at flyweight, Pantoja now desires a possibility to battle the person in entrance of him.
“Like a GOAT? That’s what I’m making an attempt to do proper now,” Pantoja stated when requested about his successful streak on the UFC 310 post-fight press convention. “I really feel I’m tight with extra victories in that division. That’s why I talked about Demetrious Johnson. I’m sorry if I’m mistaken to say about that. All my respect to him, however I did that. I cleaned the division. I’ve beat the No. 1, No. 2 a number of instances. The UFC brings me one other man, one other champion from all the world over, and I completed him. That’s the battle that is smart for me.
“And flyweight is so totally different now. The time when Demetrious Johnson fought it’s not like that. My final 4 fights I fought with a Mexican, Australian, American, and Japanese. the whole lot has modified. You may have good fighters all the world over. Instances proper now, it’s so onerous to maintain this belt. … Powerful instances proper now. It’s not like earlier than.”
“All respect to Demetrious Johnson. I respect him, I really like him, as a result of he opened all of the doorways for us. However that’s the battle I would like.”
Sadly for Pantoja, his dream battle doesn’t seem like an possibility. Johnson has not competed for the UFC since he was traded to ONE Championship in 2018, and earlier this 12 months, he retired from the game. “Mighty Mouse” heard Pantoja’s callout however stated he has no intention of ending his retirement.
Guys I received provided 2 million {dollars} to battle!! I turned it down I don’t care to battle anymore YouTube video dropping quickly
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) December 8, 2024
“Guys I received provided 2 million {dollars} to battle!! I turned it down I don’t care to battle anymore YouTube video dropping quickly.”
So Pantoja might not get to chase Johnson down by combating him, and Johnson’s document 11 title defenses makes it a tall job to problem him that approach, however “The Cannibal” isn’t solely out of luck. His win over Asakura moved Pantoja right into a tie with Johnson and Joseph Benavidez for many wins in divisional historical past, and with Johnson and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo for many finishes in UFC divisional historical past. And for Pantoja, including his title to the document books like that has him shifting up the flyweight all-time rankings.
“That’s a tough query as a result of Demetrious Johnson has a number of defenses,” Pantoja stated when requested to ranked flyweight GOATs. “Henry Cejudo, he’s an Olympic champ, flyweight champ, bantamweight champ, after which you will have me. Then you will have Figueiredo after which you will have [Brandon] Moreno. I feel that is smart.”
