MMA
Exclusive: Alexandre Pantoja ready for his next fight
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In an interview with DAZN News, UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja discussed his potential return date.
"Hopefully soon," Pantoja said. "I asked to fight in Miami (UFC 314), but right now, they just haven't put me on the card. I think they saved my fight for another event. I'm healthy. If you give me eight weeks, I can fight in June or July."
Riding a seven-fight win streak, the champion made it clear that he is ready for anyone.
"If you pay me, I can fight whoever they put in front of me. Just not my wife or my mom, anyone else, I can fight," explained Pantoja with a smile.
Pantoja also reflected on his possible opponents, stating that he is willing to accept any fight, regardless of the name the UFC puts in front of him.
"If the UFC tells me, 'Hey, you’re fighting this guy,' what am I supposed to say? No? Who am I to decide? That’s not my job.
"If Dana White comes to me and says, 'You’re fighting Tim Elliott,' I’ll say yes. Give me the name, give me the money, and I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me."
He secured his first title defense against the division’s No. 1 contender, Brandon Royval, at UFC 296. Meanwhile, Brandon Moreno, the No. 2-ranked flyweight, who is set to face No. 8-ranked Steve Erceg this weekend, previously lost to Pantoja at UFC 290 in a title bout.
"In this division, everyone has a chance," he said. "I’ve fought everyone in my path. That’s been my dream since I was a kid watching [Jean Claude] Van Damme movies, to fight the best in the world, explained the champion.
"Whoever they give me, I’m excited to fight."
