UFC legend expresses pessimism about Pantoja's return and predicts a renewal in the flyweight division.

Alexandre Pantoja was injured at UFC 323. Photo: UFC Eurasia

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Daniel Cormier is pessimistic about Alexandre Pantoja 's immediate return to the octagon. The Brazilian faced Joshua Van in the main event of UFC 323 and, just 26 seconds into the fight, suffered a serious elbow injury that resulted in the loss of his title. In the former champion's view, the incident should keep him out for about eight months, opening up space for a renewal in the flyweight division (up to 56,7kg).

During the 'Good Guy/Bad Guy' program, Cormier assessed that Pantoja had been dominating the division, but will now be out of action for a significant period. According to the commentator, after defeating Brandon Moreno , Tatsuro Taira should fight for the title, and a duel between him and Joshua Van could define the future direction of the division.

Cormier projects that the winner of the Taira vs. Van fight would need about six months until their next fight, fitting the schedule around Pantoja's recovery period.

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“Pantoja was beating everyone, but now he’s going to be out for a while. It was a serious injury. I believe that after beating Brandon Moreno , Tatsuro Taira should fight for the belt. Why not Tatsuro Taira and Joshua Van ? Let’s say the winner of that fight needs six months before the next fight. We would have eight months after Pantoja’s injury. Then either you give him a rematch against Joshua Van or he fights the new champion (Taira). And the division renews itself and moves forward,” said Daniel Cormier.

Dana White rules out immediate Pantoja rematch

Dana White at a UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Dana White has ruled out any possibility of Alexandre Pantoja having an immediate rematch for the flyweight title. In the post-UFC 323 press conference, the organization's president stated that another title defense must take place before the Brazilian is cleared to compete again.

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