Alexandre Pantoja News

Kyoji Horiguchi
Kyoji Horiguchi

Kyoji Horiguchi open to fighting training partner Alexandre Pantoja: 'Friends can make good money'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 16, 2025

Kyoji Horiguchi has no problem fighting Alexandre Pantoja for the right price and prize. Horiguchi and Pantoja are longtime training partners. The two have been able to avoid fighting one another, as Horiguchi had been competing under the Rizin banner. Now that Horiguchi has returned to the UFC, it’s left the door open to fight Pantoja, who happens to be the reigning UFC Flyweight Champion.

Alexandre Pantoja
Kyoji Horiguchi

Alexandre Pantoja open to fight with teammate Kyoji Horiguchi for UFC title: "It's a pleasure"

Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has no issues with fighting Kyoji Horiguchi. ‘The Cannibal’ was last seen in the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 in December. That night in Las Vegas saw Alexandre Pantoja dominate the newly signed Kai Asakura, ultimately securing a second-round submission win. As of now, the Brazilian remains unbooked. However, has been linked to a clash with Kai Kara-France this summer at International Fight Week.

Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Kai Kara-France hints at UFC 317 flyweight title fight against Alexandre Pantoja: "12 weeks out"

Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2025

It appears that Kai Kara-France is preparing for a summer meeting with UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. ‘Don’t Blink’ last appeared in the cage at UFC 305 last August in Australia. Kai Kara-France entered the bout riding a two-fight losing streak, previously suffering losses to Amir Albazi and Brandon Moreno. Badly needing a win to remain in title contention, the striker scored a blistering first-round knockout win over Steve Erceg last summer. Post-fight, Kara-France called for a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja.

Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson understands Alexandre Pantoja callout, calls UFC champion best flyweight today

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2025

Demetrious Johnson has high praise for Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja is the reigning UFC Flyweight Champion. His most recent title defense took place at the UFC 310 pay-per-view against Kai Asakura. Pantoja secured a second-round technical submission finish to retain the 125-pound gold. After the fight, Pantoja called out Johnson, who retired from pro MMA competition in Sept. 2024.

Alexandre Pantoja and Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Alexandre Pantoja makes fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for superfight

Harry Kettle - December 13, 2024

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has made a fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for a possible superfight. Right now, Alexandre Pantoja is one of the most impressive champions in mixed martial arts. He took the belt in a great fight and ever since then, he’s been putting on some fantastic bouts – and successfully defending the belt along the way. Now, though, many are wondering what could be next for him.

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Deiveson Figueiredo

Deiveson Figueiredo questions why Alexandre Pantoja hasn't mentioned his name as potential opponent following UFC 310

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024

Deiveson Figueiredo is calling for a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja. Back in July 2019, Figueiredo defeated Pantoja in a bout that earned “Fight of the Night” honors. Figueiredo eventually became a two-time UFC flyweight champion before moving up to the bantamweight division. As for Pantoja, he’s gone 8-1 since the loss to Figueiredo and he’s now the reigning UFC flyweight titleholder.

Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja believes Kai Kara-France is most likely title challenger following UFC 310 win: "Makes the most sense"

Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja believes a fight with Kai Kara-France is likely next. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja faced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 32-year-old was granted a near-unprecedented title shot in his promotional debut, given the Brazilian’s dominance over the division.

Alexandre Pantoja, UFC 310
Ian Garry

What's next for the stars of UFC 310?

Cole Shelton - December 9, 2024

The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada for their year-end pay-per-view for a solid UFC 310 card. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja was defending his flyweight title against UFC newcomer Kai Asakura. The co-main event saw a pivotal welterweight bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry.

Alexandre Pantoja Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson

Alexandre Pantoja reacts after Demetrious Johnson shoots down his UFC 310 callout: “It’s not about money”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024

Alexandre Pantoja is aware of Demetrious Johnson’s response to his callout. Pantoja surprised MMA fans when he called for a showdown with “Mighty Mouse” at the conclusion of UFC 310. The UFC flyweight champion had a successful title defense against Kai Asakura, earning a second-round submission finish. After the fight, Pantoja expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Johnson, who retired from pro MMA competition earlier this year.

Alexandre Pantoja UFC Weigh-in
Ian Garry

UFC 310 weigh-in results: Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Machado Garry tip the scales

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 6, 2024

The UFC 310 weigh-ins are ongoing, and we’ve got you covered with results. This Saturday night, UFC 310 will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card will be a flyweight title clash between champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura. In the co-main event, undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry will collide.

Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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.

Kai Asakura
Chael Sonnen

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.

Alexandre Pantoja
UFC

Alexandre Pantoja shuts down bantamweight move ahead of UFC 310 title defense against Kai Asakura

Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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 Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Alexandre Pantoja remains skeptical of Henry Cejudo potentially moving back down to flyweight: "He's a legend, but he's too big"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 7, 2024

Henry Cejudo has teased a potential move back to the flyweight division, but Alexandre Pantoja isn’t buying it. Pantoja is the reigning UFC flyweight champion. He’s set to welcome former RIZIN star Kai Asakura at the UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas on December 7th. While Pantoja has to focus on the task at hand, he was recently asked about the possibility of Cejudo popping back into the 125-pound division.

Alexandre Pantoja
UFC

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 and Kai Asakura
Kai Kara-France

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.

Steve Erceg, Alexandre Pantoja
Steve Erceg

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.

Sean O'Malley and Alexandre Pantoja
Sean O'Malley

WATCH | Sean O'Malley releases sparring footage of him stopping Alexandre Pantoja in 2016

Cole Shelton - May 10, 2024

Sean O’Malley has released the footage of him sparring Alexandre Pantoja in 2016. Pantoja and O’Malley have taken shots at each other over the last few months, and both claimed there was a different version of their sparring footage back in 2016. In the video, O’Malley landed a body kick to the liver and after a few seconds, Pantoja called the sparring over.