Alexandre Pantoja may have to look elsewhere for an opponent after calling up Demetrious Johnson for a comeback fight.
The UFC flyweight champion defeated Kai Asakura at UFC 310 on Saturday night, instantly summoning one of the greatest fighters in the sport's history. Johnson retired earlier this year after a stint at ONE Championship, where he owned bantamweight gold.
Pantoja has already seemingly cleared out the 125lb division, with Asakura emerging as an opponent who came in from RIZIN without a single UFC fight. And he now wants to be the best to ever do it and really cement his legacy.
Alexandre Pantoja calls out Demetrious Johnson after UFC 310 win
Following his victory at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Alexandre Pantoja spoke with Joe Rogan in the octagon about his next plans. It seemed like his most likely option was number one contender Brandon Royval.
However, he has already defeated Royval twice, stopping him in 2021 before winning a five-round decision the second time. And the Brazilian instead chose another left-field option during his callouts.
“There's a special fighter who doesn't fight anymore,” he told Rogan. “But this is something I have to say to you, Demetrious Johnson. I'm the GOAT here, if you want to prove you're the GOAT, come back!
Dana White responds to Alexandre Pantoja's call
Johnson left the UFC in 2019 as part of an unprecedented trade deal with ONE Championship. He headed to Asia while Ben Askren came the other way, becoming one of the most infamous welterweights in recent history.
Since joining ONE, Johnson has had considerable success, but on September 6 in Colorado he called it quits. When it comes to getting him one last fight in the UFC, Dana White is the man who can make it happen, and he didn't seem opposed to the idea during his post-fight press conference.
“I don't know,” he replied when asked if he would entertain the idea of a final fight for the legendary former champion. “That's interesting. Listen, I was the one banging the drum about Demetrious Johnson a long time ago, so yeah, I don't know.
Demetrious Johnson rejects call for UFC return
Naturally, fans waited on social media to see how 'Mighty Mouse' would respond to the call. His retirement in September seemed abrupt, but at the same time his emotional speech seemed genuine and he has since built an entire career for himself as an analyst and online streamer.
Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
And it doesn't seem like he's that interested in making a comeback against Pantoja. He stated that he has already turned down a seven-figure deal for one more fight.
About X, Johnson wrote: “Guys, I was offered $2 million to fight!! I turned it down. I don't feel like fighting anymore. YouTube video coming soon.
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