Google News
Although Alexandre Pantoja made the "most enjoyable call out ever" after his win over Brandon Royval, according to Daniel Cormier, he was a bit harsher and more specific at the press conference in calling out current UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.
The 31-year-old Brazilian came away with a win against Royval for the second time in a row, is currently the third challenger in the fly category, and believes he deserves to be next in line to attack the belt. '' I'm next in line to attack the title and he (Moreno) knows that.
Maybe he’s retiring, I don’t know what’s on his mind. But he knows me and my power in standing and grappling. I think I am the most dangerous guy in this category. ", Said" Cannibal ", obviously with the intention of stinging the current champion, because by doing so he is working on increasing his chances that he will be the next challenger.
By the way, Pantoja and Moreno have fought twice so far and both times the Brazilian celebrated. Pantoja celebrated for the first time while they were both Ultimate Fighter participants, with choking in the second round. They met for the second time in the Octagon, in 2018, and Alexandre then celebrated with a convincing referee decision after a dominant performance.
Pantoja now wants a trilogy against the Mexican and hopes to fight at the end of the year.
December
'' I suggest December because I think Brandon will want a fight then. I’m ready to fight, but I don’t know if Moreno wants to fight this or next year." "However, I know he is aware that I am coming for the title.
He knows my skills, I beat him twice. I think he was a little scared because he lost to me by submission, and then when he had a chance to get revenge, I destroyed him with a 30-26 score." "I proved I was better. When he got back to the UFC, he was seen to be good, but I’m better.
He has a belt now, but he knows that I am much better than three years ago when we fought, '' Alexandre Pantoja added. The problem with Alexandre’s ambitions could be the two fighters ahead of him in the standings. Namely, the undefeated Russian fighter Askar Askarov defeated Pantoja in July 2020 and is currently ranked second in the ranking of challengers of the UFC fly category.
However, Askarov was supposed to fight Alex Perez in July, but he canceled the fight due to injury and Matt Schnell jumped in instead of him, although the date of that fight was moved to September 4. The information says that Askarov injured his right arm and could be out of the cage for the next five to six months.
This opens up a possible opportunity for Pantoja to be the next challenger, but former champion Deiveson Figueiredo also wants a rematch against Moreno, and considering that "Figgy" is ranked first in the ranking of challengers and also defeated Pantoja (in July 2019) , it can be said he has a good argument to get a new chance against the Mexican before Alexandre Pantoja.
