Alexandre pantoja celebrates fourth defense of the UFC flyweight belt. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC
Alexandre pantoja defended the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg.) successfully controlling and finishing Kai Kara France in the co-main event of UFC 317. Despite having posed to face with Joshua Van, his likely next opponent for the title, the Brazilian surprised by raising the possibility of facing Merab Dvalishvili in an interview with 'The Ariel Helwani Show' this Monday (30).
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Instead of following the example of Ilia Topuria e Islam makhachev and try to win a second belt, Pantoja took a different approach to the situation. Clearly attached to his original category, he opted to create the BMF belt at a catchweight.
“Money talks… if the UFC wants to do something crazy, they should create a BMF and at a weight of 130 pounds (58,9 kg.) Me, Merab, why not?… I don’t need to vacate my belt, and that makes everything fairer”, said the Brazilian, the champion with the most successful defenses in the organization today.
Alexandre pantoja says he'd be down to fight Merab if it was for a BMF belt at 130 lbs
“Money talks… if the UFC wants to do something crazy, make a BMF and make it 130 pounds. Me, Merab, why not?…
I don't need to vacate my belt, and it makes it more fair.”
(Street… pic.twitter.com/DkuFC8tD8z
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 30, 2025
Pantoja is one of the best Brazilian fighters in history
Alexandre pantoja in an interview at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
With four successful defenses in Ultimate, only Demetrious Johnson has better numbers than Pantoja as king of the category. In addition, the triumph against Kara-France isolated him in the count of victories and interruptions in the history of the division.
When approaching the great representatives of Brazil in the UFC, the fighter has better numbers than big names, such as Lyoto Machida, Vitor belfort e Mauritius Shogun.
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