Alexandre Pantoja tells MMA legend to come out of retirement after sleeping Kai Asakura at UFC 310
Alexandre Pantoja has defended his flyweight title again at UFC 310 Pantoja secured a rear-naked choke submission victory just two minutes into the second round of his UFC 310 co-main event. UFCPantoja looked unbelievable during UFC 310’s main event[/caption] Pantoja was defending his flyweight belt for the third time against UFC debutant Kai Asakura in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Before the fight, he exclusively told talkSPORT.com that he aimed “to kill” his Japanese opponent, and certainly delivered on that promise with a dominant performance. The bout was highly energetic bout, with Pantoja ultimately showcasing his superiors skills over Asakura. His performance was so impressive that UFC commentator Joe Rogan described him as “absolutely phenomenal” after the fight. However, the most intriguing moment came after the victory, when Pantoja called out Demtrious Johnson. “Demetrious Johnson I’m the GOAT here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back,” he said. Demetrious Johnson hasn’t fought in the UFC since dropping his flyweight title to Henry Cejudo in August 2017. ‘Mighty Mouse’ defended his flyweight belt a record-breaking 11 times between 2013 and 2017, and is regarded as one of MMA’s greatest-ever fighters. At the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked if that fight was something he would entertain. “I don’t know. That’s interesting,” he said. “Listen, I was the one beating the drum about Demetrious Johnson a long time ago.” Johnson is universally regarded as the best 125lb fighter everGETTY UFCPantoja was all smiles with his family after calling out Johnson[/caption] “This is the UFC level; that’s here,” Pantoja added in his post-fight octagon interview. “So high—you think some Japanese guy can come here and take my belt?” “No. I’m ready to go to Japan and defend. He’s a very tough warrior, but it doesn’t matter. When the octagon is locked this is my game. This is when I feel freedom.” Asakura is a former Rizin—Japenese MMA promotion—champion, who was making his UFC debut contesting for championship gold. However, he was no match for Brazil’s Pantoja, who proved why he remains the undisputed flyweight champion of the world. Both fighters started aggressively in what was an action-packed opening in the main event. View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC310?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Pantoja hurt Asakura early with a strong right hand, while Asakura countered effectively, using his kicks to display his own striking prowess. Near the end of the first roun, Pantoja landed a massive right knee that further asserted his dominance. Pantoj’s striking was superb early doors, and as the fight progressed he had landed nearly three times as many strikes as his opponent by the start of the second five minutes. Looking fresher and more composed, Pantoja capitalised on an opening and found his right arm wrapped around Asakura’s neck after rolling him into a submission. With a swift scramble, Pantoja engaged in a body triangle and kicked out Asakura’s legs, leaving him with no room to escape. It looked all but over as Pantoja’s grip tightened, which eventually forced the referee to wave the fight off as Asakura went to sleep. Pantoja was awarded the eighth victory of his career via a rear-naked choke, and UFC President Dana White may struggle to find an elite flyweight capable of dethroning the Brazilian ant time soon.
Alexandre Pantoja has defended his flyweight title again at UFC 310
Pantoja secured a rear-naked choke submission victory just two minutes into the second round of his UFC 310 co-main event.
Pantoja was defending his flyweight belt for the third time against UFC debutant Kai Asakura in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Before the fight, he exclusively told talkSPORT.com that he aimed “to kill” his Japanese opponent, and certainly delivered on that promise with a dominant performance.
The bout was highly energetic bout, with Pantoja ultimately showcasing his superiors skills over Asakura.
His performance was so impressive that UFC commentator Joe Rogan described him as “absolutely phenomenal” after the fight.
However, the most intriguing moment came after the victory, when Pantoja called out Demtrious Johnson.
“Demetrious Johnson I’m the GOAT here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back,” he said.
Demetrious Johnson hasn’t fought in the UFC since dropping his flyweight title to Henry Cejudo in August 2017.
‘Mighty Mouse’ defended his flyweight belt a record-breaking 11 times between 2013 and 2017, and is regarded as one of MMA’s greatest-ever fighters.
At the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White was asked if that fight was something he would entertain.
“I don’t know. That’s interesting,” he said. “Listen, I was the one beating the drum about Demetrious Johnson a long time ago.”
“This is the UFC level; that’s here,” Pantoja added in his post-fight octagon interview.
“So high—you think some Japanese guy can come here and take my belt?”
“No. I’m ready to go to Japan and defend. He’s a very tough warrior, but it doesn’t matter. When the octagon is locked this is my game. This is when I feel freedom.”
Asakura is a former Rizin—Japenese MMA promotion—champion, who was making his UFC debut contesting for championship gold.
However, he was no match for Brazil’s Pantoja, who proved why he remains the undisputed flyweight champion of the world.
Both fighters started aggressively in what was an action-packed opening in the main event.
Pantoja hurt Asakura early with a strong right hand, while Asakura countered effectively, using his kicks to display his own striking prowess.
Near the end of the first roun, Pantoja landed a massive right knee that further asserted his dominance.
Pantoj’s striking was superb early doors, and as the fight progressed he had landed nearly three times as many strikes as his opponent by the start of the second five minutes.
Looking fresher and more composed, Pantoja capitalised on an opening and found his right arm wrapped around Asakura’s neck after rolling him into a submission.
With a swift scramble, Pantoja engaged in a body triangle and kicked out Asakura’s legs, leaving him with no room to escape.
It looked all but over as Pantoja’s grip tightened, which eventually forced the referee to wave the fight off as Asakura went to sleep.
Pantoja was awarded the eighth victory of his career via a rear-naked choke, and UFC President Dana White may struggle to find an elite flyweight capable of dethroning the Brazilian ant time soon.
