UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja’s coach, Marcos “Parrumpa” da Matta of American Prime Staff, lately weighed on the potential opponents for “The Cannibal’s” title protection upon his return to the Octagon.
Pantoja efficiently defended his title for the second time with a commanding unanimous determination victory over Steve Erceg in the principle occasion of UFC 301 this previous Could in entrance of his dwelling crowd on the Farmasi Area in Rio de Janeiro.
Throughout a media interplay at UFC Worldwide Battle Week in June, Pantoja informed journalists that he’s already negotiating a significant combat for his return in opposition to an opponent that “nobody expects.”
Whereas the Brazilian remained tight-lipped concerning the particular contender, his coach now has a selected identify in thoughts…
‘Parrumpa’ Performs Matchmaker For Pantoja
Throughout a current interview with Sherdog.com, da Matta delved into the potential opponents for Pantoja’s subsequent combat. The seasoned MMA coach highlighted that essentially the most logical contender for Pantoja is the undefeated Japanese flyweight sensation Tatsuro Taira.
“I believe that essentially the most pure names will likely be—I imply, I believe, to be sincere, that the identify that makes extra sense proper now’s Tatsuro Taira,” da Matta stated. “As a result of he’s already had some fights within the UFC; he completed [Alex] Perez. I’m not gonna say it was a fluke, but it surely was an damage. Nonetheless, it was a end.”
He additionally defined why different contenders, equivalent to Amir Albazi and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, don’t make sense for Pantoja’s subsequent title protection.
“I don’t suppose Albazi is prepared. He’s been a very long time getting damage, making an attempt to get higher, so I don’t suppose he’s able to go for a title shot. His final combat was some time in the past, and lots of people thought he misplaced… I believe Cejudo doesn’t make any sense for the UFC as a result of he retired when he was on prime. He beat Dominick Cruz, which was wonderful, then retired. He got here again, wasn’t that nice, misplaced, and went again to retirement. Now he’s going to come back again within the weight division under 135 [pounds] and combat for the belt? After which what occurs if he wins? Is he going to defend, or is he going to retire once more?”
Following his TKO victory over Perez at a Battle Evening occasion in June, Taira expressed his want for a title shot in opposition to “The Cannibal” in 2024, aiming to turn out to be the primary Japanese champion in UFC historical past. He’s set to headline an upcoming occasion on the UFC Apex in opposition to former title challenger Brandon Royval on October 12.
