Alexandre Pantoja would’ve loved the opportunity to challenge himself against Demetrious Johnson, but now that the one of the most accomplished champions in UFC history called it a career, Pantoja hopes to be able to take away some knowledge and skill.
Pantoja defends the UFC flyweight title against Kai Asakura this Saturday at UFC 310. Pantoja headlines his second pay-per-view card of the year, this time against the former RIZIN bantamweight champ and promotional newcomer.
While he’s focused on Asakura, Pantoja couldn’t help but wonder if Johnson’s retirement announcement could lead to the UFC picking “Mighty Mouse” back up in the future.
“Now he retired, and now UFC can contract him again,” Pantoja told MMA Fighting. “The only thing I can think about is that. I don’t know if they can do that.
“But of course, huge respect for him. He’s a GOAT and I respect everything he did for my division, for me, for all of the guys. We needed respect because I need to pay my bills. I’m a fighter, I’m a professional. That’s my job. And Demetrious Johnson opened space for us. [He was] unstoppable, undefeated [for so long], that’s crazy.”
Pantoja puts his title on the line for the second time after winning the belt at UFC 290 against Brandon Moreno in July 2023. The 34-year-old has won six straight, including defeating Steve Erceg via decision at UFC 301 in May in his first title defense.
Having fought a lot of the top flyweight contenders on the road to winning his first UFC title, Pantoja hopes to be able to train with Johnson in the future.
“I just want to train with him,” Pantoja said. “I train with the best fighters in the world. I have the opportunity to fight the best fighters in the world. ... I can fight with a lot of good guys in the UFC, but if Demetrious Johnson [is fully] retired and doesn’t fight no more, maybe [we can] just train, because it’s something I want to take for my life, you know?”
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