We still do not know what the next one is for the Fleet weight champion of the UFC in its fourth title defense.
After his victory over Kai Asakura at UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja called former champion Demetrious Johnson, but this was closed quickly.
Johnson is sure that he is retiring and that pushed Kai Kara-France to the front of the queue.
Although the image was quickly removed, it seems that the return of Pantoja is aimed at UFC 316, which is expected to take place in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Because nothing has been confirmed yet, some fans asked after his recent victory over Asu Almabayev or Manel Kape could have come forward as the next challenger after he had called a rematch with Pantoja.
Adriano Moraes says that the UFC might be on its way to Alexandre Pantoja vs Manel Kape
Adriano Moraes from Brazil is a training partner from Alexandre Pantoja's at American Top Team in Florida.
He is currently looking for his own flight weight gold, because 'Mikinho' seems to claim the vacant title on a 172 in Japan, where he is confronted with Yuya Wakamatsu in Saitama Super Arena.
Speaking in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Moraes gave his opinion about what the next one will be for the Flyweight title holder of the UFC now that there are apparently two options on the table.
As Moraes notes, the champion already has victories on both men currently in the title photo, even when his victory over Kai Kara-France in 2016 came to the ultimate hunter.
The 35-year-old believes that although Pantoja stood in line for a fight with Kara-France at some point, he thinks the UFC may have changed ideas.
After Manel Kape had yielded a dominant version the last time-out, while Kara-France has only fought once since June 2023, Moraes thinks that 'Starboy' could get his wish unless the promotion decides to watch elsewhere.
“He already fought against both, I think he has a victory against both boys. I think UFC has already shown that he would defend his belt against Kai Kara-France, but this fight was canceled. After this fight had been canceled, Manel Kape did a really good performance. So let's see what happens.”
Adriano Moraes says that Manel Kape is the right opponent for Alexandre Pantoja
Adriano Moraes not only believes that the UFC may tend to be Manel Kape, he prefers this option for his teammate.
Kape was defeated by Pantoja on his UFC debut in 2021 after he had made the switch from the Japanese promotion Rizin.
After having had a second consecutive loss for Matheus Nicolau through a split decision, his only other setback was the controversial collision with Muhammad Mokaev last year.
Moraes believes that 'Starboy' is not only logical as the next title -seconder based on his style, he thinks Kape has earned the chance of the Rematch.
“For me personally I prefer Kape to fight against Pantoja, because after he lost Pantoja, he evolves a lot in his career, in UFC, and his run for the first competition has been great. He is a Finisher, I think that is what everyone wants to see and I think it is a really good idea to put him against Pantoja again.”