Outside Source
Alexandre Pantoja is focused on his next title defense. | Getty/UFC
Anyone who thinks flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja is taking his upcoming title defense against Joshua Van lightly is mistaken.
“When I was 23, I was working in a restaurant in Arraial do Cabo, hungry for an opportunity. At this age, Van will be fighting for the world championship belt. The guy proved he deserved that beating the No. 1, so it will undoubtedly be my biggest challenge,” the champion told Sherdog.com.
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The greatest proof of the champion’s focus on the current training camp was his absence from UFC Rio.
“Obviously, I wanted to be there with my country’s fans, in my hometown,” he said. “It was a great celebration for Brazilian MMA. I received the UFC invitation, but I decided to decline because I was in the middle of the camp and I don’t think it would be a good time to receive hugs and praises. That’s why I preferred to stay focused on my goal.”
The American Top Team representative believes his experience advantage will be the difference in the UFC 323 co-main event.
“I have no doubt he will be a great challenge. But I believe my experience will be a plus,” he said. “Over the last 20 years, I’ve trained with some of the greatest coaches in the sport—Pederneiras, Albarracin, Anderson França, Parrumpa—and each of them taught me something new. I see him very much as I was then, with great volume, explosiveness, and hunger, but I don’t believe that at 23, he will be ready to neutralize all the questions I bring to this sixth title fight.”
When asked how he believes the fight will unfold, Pantoja doesn’t hesitate.
“He has good takedown defense, power, and explosiveness,” Pantoja said. “Obviously, he can make things difficult. If I could predict it, it would be a rear-naked choke, but I like to feel out my opponent. You can expect me to be ready to trade blows for 25 minutes.”
Bia Mesquita Has Champion’s Attitude
Pantoja made a point of praising training partner Beatriz Mesquita’s performance in her victorious debut at UFC Rio and predicted she will earn a title shot at bantamweight.
“It’s great to be able to follow Bia’s transition, see her evolution from one sparring session to the next. She’s very humble and considers herself a white belt, but in truth, she’s already training with some of the best in the UFC on equal terms, so we already have the benchmark for where she deserves to be,” Pantoa said. “I see her with a champion’s attitude.”
A New Challenger at 125 Pounds?
In the event of a ninth consecutive win over Van on Dec. 6 in T-Mobile Arena, Pantoja already has a challenge in mind.
“I saw Merab give an interview saying he plans to take the 125 belt,” Pantoja said. “That would be perfect. Merab has 10 kilograms more muscle than me, he is a truly war tank. Now, if he can take that advantage, I’m very interested. It would be an honor to face him at the White House.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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