Alexandre Pantoja is rapidly turning into one of the crucial revered champions in UFC historical past.
The reigning flyweight king retained his title in emphatic style on Saturday, needing lower than two rounds to submit challenger and UFC newcomer Kai Asakura in the principle occasion of UFC 310. Regardless of Asakura exhibiting off the electrical putting type that made him a star in Japan’s RIZIN promotion, Pantoja was capable of take up Asakura’s greatest strikes and finally take the battle to the bottom the place the octagon debutant was overwhelmed.
That’s three straight title defenses now for Pantoja, who has additionally received his previous seven fights, a run that features wins over the likes of Asakura, Brandon Royval, Brandon Moreno, Alex Perez, and Manel Kape. Pantoja’s friends have been effusive of their reward for the flyweight champion, with Aljamain Sterling calling him a “beast” and Vince Morales calling him a “monster.”
It wasn’t all constructive although, as Derek Brunson had extra to say about Asakura’s shortcomings than Pantoja’s triumph.
“Y’throughout hyped this one for actual!!!” Brunson tweeted.
See extra social media reactions from the MMA neighborhood under.
Gutted for Kai, rattling. Pantoja a monster.
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) December 8, 2024
Kai belongs all I can say Pantoja to stable on the again nice battle
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) December 8, 2024
Asakura is so harmful on the ft however Pantoja is so good at attending to the clinch with strikes and simply too clear together with his grappling. So enjoyable to look at him battle. #ufc310
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 8, 2024
What number of Rizin champs have there been in UFC?
What number of LFA video games?
Okay … at some point yal gon take heed to me.
Anybody can get the chance.
It’s Ranges. Pantoja is that good!!— Charles “InnerG” Johnson (@innerGmma_ufc) December 8, 2024
