Following his UFC 310 title defense against Kai Asakura last Saturday, Alexandre Pantoja made a bold call on flyweight GOAT, Demetrious Johnson.
After nearly clearing the top 10 of the UFC flyweight division, the promotion signed former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura and immediately offered him a shot at the flyweight title.
Despite this, Alexandre Pantoja once again showed why he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world when he defeated the Japanese striker in the second round.
After the fight, 'The Cannibal' called for a big fight against former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, despite having left the promotion several years ago since retiring from the sport.
Johnson responded to Pantoja's call by explaining why he will not retire, disappointing the Brazilian and the majority of fans.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alexandre Pantoja sends new offer to Demetrious Johnson after fight call-up
Although the 34-year-old won't get his wish to fight 'Mightymouse' in the UFC Octagon, he has sent Johnson a new offer.
“I understand if he doesn't want to (fight), I have a lot of respect (for him),” Pantoja began to explain on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“But I've seen him training now and I don't know, maybe that fight will happen. I just have to train with him, maybe train with him, that's something I want because I train with (Henry) Cejudo, I train with Kyoji Horiguchi and Adriano Moraes, I fight with a lot of good fighters.
“That's something I've dreamed of, fighting the best fighters in the world, Demetrious Johnson is the best… He's so smart and I want to challenge him for that, that's why I fight, and that's why I never say no to anyone. Maybe I can text him and we can train together,” said Pantoja.
'Mightymouse' was recently spotted training with Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, causing excitement among fans, but he stated that he was only there to help a little.
Alexandre Pantoja responds to Deiveson Figueiredo's call
While Johnson won't be returning to the UFC to fight the champion, Pantoja could have his next opponent, as former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo recently called him out.
Figueiredo recently moved up to the bantamweight division, where he seemingly put on a great performance all the way to the title fight. Despite this, he recently suffered his first bantamweight loss against Petr Yan, which has him considering a return to flyweight.
Despite coming off a losing streak, 'Deus Da Guerra' could immediately find himself back in a 125-pound title fight as he already has a win over Pantoja from their first meeting in 2019.
“I want that too, that's one of the fights I want because he already beat me and I know 100% I can beat him, but that would be a danger for the UFC if he (tries) to make the weight , maybe it's a danger for Figueiredo to try that because his body has changed.
“Figueiredo is a monster, that's why he's called the God of War, that's a fight that makes me very excited,” said Pantoja.
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