For flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, the division might use a brand new face like Kai Asakura.
Former RIZIN champion Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) challenges Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) for the flyweight title at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).
The likes of prime contender Kai Kara-France took problem with a newcomer getting a title shot, however having cleared out nearly all of the division, Pantoja thinks it’s the precise struggle.
“I feel it’s all about time,” Pantoja advised MMA Junkie. “In that point proper now, I feel it is smart.”
Pantoja is glad to see the flyweight division being spotlighted with quite a few headliners – most not too long ago with Brandon Moreno defeating Amir Albazi on this previous Saturday’s UFC Struggle Night time 246 major occasion.
Brandon Royval can also be not too long ago coming off a major occasion win, the place he bounced Tatsuro Taira out of the ranks of the unbeaten at UFC Struggle Night time 244 in October. However with Pantoja having already overwhelmed each Moreno and Royval twice, he likes the problem of finding out a brand new opponent.
“You carry Kai Asakura, the crossover – that’s what each hater of the UFC is speaking about: ‘UFC must make a crossover,’ and when the UFC did that, the haters come again and say Asakura doesn’t should struggle for the belt,” Pantoja stated. “However particularly in my division – I really like Royval too, that’s a stupendous struggle he did with Taira, a contender, tremendous recent man, Japanese, lovely struggle. I liked watching the grappling, the struggle fashion. However after all, Royval misplaced to me twice.
“I feel it is smart. This time, no person can say nothing. And it’s good for the entire division, too, as a result of after my struggle with Asakura, everyone goes to get the chance to struggle with this man, too. He’s good for the entire division. Once I completed my struggle with (Stephen) Erceg, and I used to be pondering who’s going to be my subsequent opponent, once I seemed on the prime 5 within the UFC, I do know the sport plan to struggle all these guys. Then you definately carry somebody new, that’s good for me. I like that problem.”
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