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The viral sparring session video between Alexandre Pantoja and Sean O'Malley, which sparked heated debates and conflicting narratives, could have reached a decisive conclusion if the bantamweight division's landscape had remained unchanged.
For a time, UFC flyweight champion Pantoja entertained the idea of moving up to 135-pounds, driven by personal rivalry with O'Malley. However, with O'Malley dropping the bantamweight throne to Merab Dvalishvili, Pantoja has shifted his focus back to cementing his dominance at flyweight.
The Brazilian has already defended his 125-pound belt twice with victories over Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg. The prospect of a clash with O'Malley was rooted in the idea of settling a feud originating from past gym battles and exchanged words. Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pantoja said:
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"I’m the flyweight champion. I want to stay here for a long time. I just thought about [a move] to fight with O’Malley because we have some history before, you know, he talked something bad. I want to prove I beat him in the gym, and I can beat him in a real fight.” [H/t: MMA Junkie]
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Check out Alexandre Pantoja's comments below (12:00):
Pantoja is gearing up to face former Rizin champion Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310 on Dec. 7. He claimed in the aforementioned interview that he is laser-focused on the task at hand. While future challenges may include rematches with elite contenders like Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval, his immediate goal is to deliver a spectacular performance for fans.
Alexandre Pantoja wants to emulate Anderson Silva's style in upcoming clash against Kai Asakura at UFC 310
Alexandre Pantoja is determined to channel the spirit of Anderson Silva when he faces Kai Asakura at UFC 310. The Brazilian, who is set to defend his flyweight title on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has drawn inspiration from Silva’s electrifying performances that captivated audiences.
Growing up in Brazil, Pantoja idolized Silva, who dominated his opponents with his striking efficiency. Now, Pantoja seeks to emulate the legendary aura and artistry of his hero inside the octagon. Speaking in an interview with Bloody Elbow, Pantoja said:
"I think about what Anderson Silva did before. Dana White said why everybody loves Anderson Silva, because when he had to belt to defend, he gave a show for everyone. In that exact moment, when people were watching, he put on a show. I think a lot about that and what I want. I want to be great, and that’s what I’m going to do on Dec. 7.”
Check out Alexandre Pantoja's comments below (8:00):
