Alexandre Pantoja News
UFC 310 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura title fight
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2024
In the main event of UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja takes on UFC newcomer Kai Asakura. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -280 favorite while the challenger is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the flyweight title fight. In the end, most believe Pantoja will get his hand raised as they believe that UFC experience is a true factor as Asakura making his debut in a title fight could hinder him with nerves.
Chael Sonnen claims UFC title shot for Kai Asakura is “right”
Zain Bando - December 3, 2024
Chael Sonnen, a former UFC fighter-turned-analyst, quickly gave his thoughts on the UFC 310 pay-per-view main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura, which headlines this Saturday. Sonnen never won a UFC world title. Between 2010 and 2013, he came up short on three occasions against former middleweight champion Anderson Silva (twice) and current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
UFC 310 title challenger had first fight against his own brother: “He was really trying to kill me”
BJ Penn Staff - December 1, 2024
Technically speaking, UFC 310 headliner Kai Asakura had his first fight in 2012, when he submitted Tomoya Suzuki. If you ask the man himself, however, he’ll tell you his first fight came earlier than that, when he took on his own brother, Mikuru. Kai Asakura’s first ever fight was a street fight against his own brother
Alexandre Pantoja shuts down bantamweight move ahead of UFC 310 title defense against Kai Asakura
Fernando Quiles - December 1, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja isn’t thinking about a move to the bantamweight division at the moment. Pantoja is the reigning UFC flyweight titleholder, but he had teased dabbling into the 135-pound division for a showdown with Sean O’Malley. At the time, O’Malley held the bantamweight championship.
Alexandre Pantoja makes the case for his fight being the main event of UFC 310
Harry Kettle - November 2, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja has made the case for his fight serving as the main event of UFC 310 next month. At UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight championship against UFC newcomer Kai Asakura. As you can imagine, this move took many by surprise – but it also led to a great deal of excitement.
Kai Kara-France vents frustration for Kai Askaura getting flyweight title shot: "He hasn’t even fought yet"
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2024
Kai Kara-France believes he should have been the one to get the next flyweight title shot. UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his belt in the co-main event of UFC 310 against newcomer Kai Asakura. Asakura is the former RIZIN champion who has notable wins over Manel Kape, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Juan Archuleta, but it still came as a surprise that he received an immediate title shot in his first UFC fight.
Manel Kape claims Muhammad Mokaev left ATT after being constantly submitted by UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja
Susan Cox - July 25, 2024
Manel Kape is claiming Muhammad Mokaev left ATT after being constantly submitted by UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja. UFC 304 takes place this coming weekend, on Saturday July 27th at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Steve Erceg rips Alexandre Pantoja after claiming he “hit like a girl” in UFC 301 title fight
Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024
Former UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg’s immense respect for Alexandre Pantoja has faltered since their May title clash. Erceg fell to Pantoja by unanimous decision at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. The loss snapped an 11-fight winning streak, including a 3-0 unbeaten run inside the UFC entering his first promotional five-rounder.
Alexandre Pantoja reiterates desire for superfight against Demetrious Johnson
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has made it clear that he’s interested in a future showdown with Demetrious Johnson. At UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja just about managed to successfully defend his UFC flyweight championship. He saw off the challenge of Steve Erceg in what proved to be a really competitive encounter.
Chael Sonnen explains why he puts Alexandre Pantoja in the same category as GSP or Khabib Nurmagomedov
Susan Cox - May 7, 2024
Chael Sonnen is explaining why he puts Alexandre Pantoja in the same category as GSP or Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was just this past weekend, at UFC 301, that the main event featured Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA) vs Steve Erceg (12-2 MMA) in a flyweight title bout. It was to be Pantoja retaining his title with a unanimous decision victory over ‘Astro Boy’.
What's next for the stars of UFC 301?
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
The UFC was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for UFC 301 with the flyweight title fight headlining the event. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja was looking to defend his title for the second time as he took on Steve Erceg who had an incredible rise to the title as this was just his fourth UFC fight. Jose Aldo, meanwhile, was making his return to the UFC to face Jonathan Martinez.
Demetrious Johnson criticizes UFC's decision to make Alexandre Pantoja/Steve Erceg the UFC 301 headliner: 'It's very frustrating!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson feels the promotion shouldn’t continue to book flyweight pay-per-view main events after UFC 301. UFC flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja outpointed Steve Erceg in an instant classic at UFC 301. Pantoja capped off his first-career UFC pay-per-view headliner with a gritty performance to retain the flyweight belt.
Steve Erceg explains why he went for a takedown in the fifth round of UFC 301 main event
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Steve Erceg has explained why he went for a takedown in the fifth round of his title bout with Alexandre Pantoja. Last Saturday night, Steve Erceg challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight championship. In what proved to be a real back and forth contest, both men put everything they had on the line in the name of being called champion.
Alexandre Pantoja thinks Steve Erceg fight was huge moment for UFC flyweights: "I’ve always said this division is entirely tough"
Fernando Quiles - May 5, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja believes his fight with Steve Erceg proved how deep the UFC flyweight division is. Pantoja and Erceg shared the Octagon inside Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this past Saturday night. The title fight headlined UFC 301, and it ended with Pantoja successfully retaining his gold via unanimous decision. Make no mistake, however, this was a close encounter and the champion was forced to seal the deal in the final round with his grappling.
Pros react after Alexandre Pantoja defeats Steve Erceg at UFC 301
Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024
Tonight’s UFC 301 event was headlined by a men’s flyweight title fight featuring Alexandre Pantoja taking on Steve Erceg. Pantoja (28-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring his first career title defense with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 this past December. ‘The Cannibal’ had of course captured the men’s flyweight title in July of 2023 when he defeated Brandon Royval by way of split decision.
UFC 301 Results: Alexandre Pantoja defeats Steve Erceg (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024
We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the men’s flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. Pantoja (27-5 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring his first career title defense with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 this past December. ‘The Cannibal’ captured the men’s flyweight title in July of 2023 when he defeated Brandon Royval by way of split decision.
Renato Moicano questions Alexandre Pantoja’s decision to fight Steve Erceg at UFC 301: “I don’t think it was very smart”
Susan Cox - May 3, 2024
Renato Moicano is questioning Alexandre Pantoja’s decision to fight Steve Erceg at UFC 301. UFC 301 takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th at the Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
UFC 301: ‘Pantoja vs. Erceg’ Weigh-in Results - 1 Fight Cancelled
Susan Cox - May 3, 2024
The UFC 301 weigh-ins took place today, Friday, May 3rd at the UFC host hotel in Rio de Janeiro. UFC 301: ‘Pantoja vs. Erceg’ will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 4th at the Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.