Alexandre Pantoja would’ve liked the chance to problem himself towards Demetrious Johnson, however now that the one of the achieved champions in UFC historical past known as it a profession, Pantoja hopes to have the ability to take away some data and ability.
Pantoja defends the UFC flyweight title towards Kai Asakura this Saturday at UFC 310. Pantoja headlines his second pay-per-view card of the yr, this time towards the previous RIZIN bantamweight champ and promotional newcomer.
Whereas he’s targeted on Asakura, Pantoja couldn’t assist however marvel if Johnson’s retirement announcement might result in the UFC selecting “Mighty Mouse” again up sooner or later.
“Now he retired, and now UFC can contract him once more,” Pantoja advised MMA Preventing. “The one factor I can take into consideration is that. I don’t know if they’ll try this.
“However after all, big respect for him. He’s a GOAT and I respect all the pieces he did for my division, for me, for the entire guys. We wanted respect as a result of I must pay my payments. I’m a fighter, I’m knowledgeable. That’s my job. And Demetrious Johnson opened area for us. [He was] unstoppable, undefeated [for so long], that’s loopy.”
Pantoja places his title on the road for the second time after profitable the belt at UFC 290 towards Brandon Moreno in July 2023. The 34-year-old has received six straight, together with defeating Steve Erceg through resolution at UFC 301 in Might in his first title protection.
Having fought numerous the highest flyweight contenders on the highway to profitable his first UFC title, Pantoja hopes to have the ability to practice with Johnson sooner or later.
“I simply need to practice with him,” Pantoja mentioned. “I practice with one of the best fighters on the earth. I’ve the chance to struggle one of the best fighters on the earth. … I can struggle with numerous good guys within the UFC, but when Demetrious Johnson [is fully] retired and doesn’t struggle no extra, perhaps [we can] simply practice, as a result of it’s one thing I need to take for my life, ?”
