UFC 323 headliner Alexandre Pantoja (30-5) sides with Dana White on a highly debated discussion within mixed martial arts. White has never been shy about his stance on teammates in MMA refusing to fight each other. The UFC’s boss has often been blunt in saying that fighters miss out on big opportunities if they refuse to fight training partners when the situation calls for it.
Speaking to Newsweek Sports, Pantoja said he agrees with White as long as the stakes are high.
“I don’t want to fight Kyoji Horiguchi if it’s not for the belt,” Pantoja said. “But who can I say I won’t fight if it’s for the belt? I totally agree with it. That’s Kyoji’s dream, and I love so much him. I’m very grateful for everything he give to me. My family cheers for Kyoji all the time. When he start to talk in the interview, we laughed so much. Everybody enjoyed how he’s happy with everything. If you have a chance to do that in the UFC, it’s going to be a gift.”
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Another Year-End PPV Appearance
For the third time in a row, Pantoja will be competing on the UFC’s year-end pay-per-view event. He will look to thwart the challenge of Joshua Van (15-2). Pantoja is happy to be in this position once again.
“I love it,” Pantoja said. “I love fighting in T-Mobile Arena. I love to go to Las Vegas to fight and compete. We have the UFC PI there, and then I can use the facility to cut weight and do everything. I think every fighter loves to fight in Las Vegas, especially in T-Mobile Arena.”
New Generation of Flyweights
Many within the MMA space have viewed Van as the face of a new generation of flyweights. Pantoja agrees with that distinction, and he feels Van’s quick rise to a UFC title opportunity is justified.
“One hundred percent,” Pantoja said. “I think he proved that not just to the flyweights, but to the whole UFC. It’s funny because we live now where everything’s fast. People like the short reels, like the TikTokers. Everything is short. Everything is very intense, fast, go. I think Joshua Van represents very well that type. I think I’m a more organic guy, but it doesn’t matter how fast he’s come. I think he deserves to fight for the belt.”
Pantoja believes Van received a shot at the flyweight gold as quickly as he did because he took advantage of late opportunities.
“All this hype is helping him too,” Van said. “He had the Willy Wonka ticket when Manel Kape pulled out of the fight with Brandon Royval. I said it before, when I was his age, I was working in a restaurant. Now, he’s fighting for the belt. That’s amazing for me to fight the younger generation in him. He’s very young, he can recover the weight very well, he can also cut weight very well. I like putting myself in that position to don’t relax in any moment.”
Future Clash With Kyoji Horiguchi?
With Horiguchi’s successful return to UFC, the flyweight division has another strong contender. Pantoja and Horiguchi are not only longtime training partners, but they’re also friends. Pantoja is thrilled to see the former Bellator and Rizin champion on the UFC roster again.
“I learned so much skills with him,” Pantoja said. “Kyoji makes it look easy. Kyoji looked incredible, and it’s nothing different what he did in the gym every day. We’re talking about American Top Team, the best gym in the world and Kyoji’s one of the best athletes in that gym. He evolved not just my game, he evolved everyone in the room.”
Pantoja then revealed he’s actually discussed with Horiguchi the possibility of them fighting for UFC gold. Both men know it would be a bittersweet feeling.
“When he talked about wanting to come back to UFC and win the belt, I told Kyoji I want to help you to get this belt. Of course, if he’s fighting me it’s different, but I want to help him get to that position because he helped make me champion.”
A Familiar Face on UFC 323 Card
Pantoja’s old rival Brandon Moreno will also be featured at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. He’ll be facing Tatsuro Taira in another pivotal 125-pound battle. Pantoja gave his assessment of the fight.
“A very interesting fight,” Pantoja said. “You see how much Tatsuro Taira evolved his striking game after his last fight, and Moreno looked unstoppable after fighting Amir Albazi. End of the year is very good for the flyweight division. You have Pantoja and Joshua Van. You have Moreno and Tatsuro Taira. You have Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. Very interesting finish of the year for us, and I think it’s very good for the flyweight division.”
Does Pantoja Get Respect He Deserves?
Oftentimes, the likes of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan will share their belief that Pantoja doesn’t get his due in MMA as much as he should. The reigning flyweight champion said that while he continues to be motivated to be recognized as the best fighter in MMA, he understands that there’s a lot of competition.
“I make very hard work in the gym because on Dec. 6 I want to prove something,” Pantoja said. “I want to be the best fighter in the world. I want to be pound-for-pound No. 1. I know it’s hard to choose someone right now, especially when you have Islam Makhachev. You have Ilia Topuria. You have Merab [Dvalishvili]. How can you choose one? It’s so hard. Merab beat everybody in his division. [Khamzat] Chimaev is undefeated, and now he wins the belt in a huge performance. I think it’s a very hard time to be the pound-for-pound No. 1, but that’s the best time to be a UFC fan.”
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