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, transferring him to second on the UFC’s checklist behind all-time nice Demetrious Johnson. And with a number of wins excessive contenders at flyweight, Pantoja now needs a chance to battle the person in entrance of him.
“Like a GOAT? That’s what I’m making an attempt to do proper now,” Pantoja mentioned 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 unsuitable 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 internationally, and I completed him. That’s the battle that is smart for me.
“And flyweight is so completely 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’ve good fighters all internationally. Occasions proper now, it’s so laborious to maintain this belt. … Robust instances proper now. It’s not like earlier than.”
“All respect to Demetrious Johnson. I respect him, I like him, as a result of he opened all of the doorways for us. However that’s the battle I need.”
Sadly for Pantoja, his dream battle doesn’t look like an choice. Johnson has not competed for the UFC since he was traded to ONE Championship in 2018, and earlier this yr, he retired from the game. “Mighty Mouse” heard Pantoja’s callout however mentioned he has no intention of ending his retirement.
Guys I received supplied 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 supplied 2 million {dollars} to battle!! I turned it down I don’t care to battle anymore YouTube video dropping quickly.”
So Pantoja could not get to chase Johnson down by combating him, and Johnson’s document 11 title defenses makes it a tall process to problem him that manner, however “The Cannibal” isn’t totally 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 identify to the document books like that has him transferring up the flyweight all-time rankings.
“That’s a tough query as a result of Demetrious Johnson has a number of defenses,” Pantoja mentioned when requested to ranked flyweight GOATs. “Henry Cejudo, he’s an Olympic champ, flyweight champ, bantamweight champ, after which you could have me. Then you could have Figueiredo after which you could have [Brandon] Moreno. I believe that is smart.”