Pantoja breaks his own rule and wants to face his training partner in 2026.

Alexandre pantoja can break your rule and face Kyoji Horiguchi Coming soon. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Current flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg), the Brazilian Alexandre pantoja He revealed that he would accept facing it. Kyoji Horiguchi, a longtime teammate of American Top Team. The idea is that the Japanese fighter will become the next challenger after Joshua Van, if the native of Arraial do Cabo wins in UFC 323, an event scheduled for December 7th in Las Vegas (USA).

The statement came after the surprising challenge made by Horiguchi in UFC Qatar, last Saturday (22). The Japanese veteran returned to the octagon after nine years and dominated Tagir UlanbekovIn the post-fight interview, he jokingly challenged Pantoja to a title fight.

See too

Friendship aside! Training partner promises to dethrone UFC champion Pantoja and declares: 'I'm going to beat you up'

Arman Tsarukyan and Pantoja's teammate earn Performance of the Night bonuses at UFC Qatar.

In an interview with the American website MMA Junkie, the champion said he took the provocation as something special.

"It would be very special for me. If I get through..." Joshua Van "And defending the belt against Kyoji will be a gift. He means a lot to me. I'm very happy that he's back and that he gave the performance he did," he said.

Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title at UFC 323.

Pantoja and Van have had a fight set up since their face-off at UFC 317, when both won on the same night. But, while preparing his next defense, the Brazilian admits that, for the first time, he might engage in a war of words with a friend.

"Maybe he's the only guy I can trade banter with. He's fun, exciting... I'm happy he accepted this challenge (of returning to the UFC)," the Brazilian added.

Horiguchi has a history with Pantoja's target.

If the duel between Alexandre pantoja e Kyoji Horiguchi If it does happen, it will have a historical element. Horiguchi's only loss in the UFC happened precisely because Demetrious JohnsonThis is the man whose record the Brazilian wants to break.

Pantoja, who already has four title defenses, is aiming for number 11 to surpass Demetrious. And, if it's up to him, the path might even include his old training partner.

The Japanese fighter won four fights in a row upon arriving at the UFC and challenged for the flyweight title in 2015, being submitted by Johnson at the end of the fight. After that, he strung together three more wins and left the organization for Rizin.