Eager to Remain on UFC 301 Card, Alexandre Pantoja Keeping Options Open

[WoozyFailGuy]

FLW is an absolute mess right now. With Pantoja having 3 wins over Moreno and 2 wins over Royval, few people would be interested in those fights. And he already has wins over Kara-France, Perez, Kape, and Schnell. That's wins over current #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9. The only guys he hasn't beaten are #3 Albazi (injured), #5 Nicolau (KO'd in his last fight), and Mokaev (already scheduled against Perez).

Making Alex-Hill the 300 headliner not only disappointed most people regarding that event, it also robbed 301 of a headliner. Pantoja vs. anyone currently wouldn't even be close to a ppv main event. I know they ideally want a Brazilian champion to headline in Rio, but I suspect they'll have to bring in a non-Brazilian to be the main event (possibly Leon or Aspinall) and make Pantoja the co-main (possibly against Kape)

Fuck it feed Pantoja Ulanbekov but he gets to wear a helmet

 

[HuskySamoan]

Can they bring back Askarov? That would be a good rematch.

They don't want Russian fighters. Not only did they let Askarov go but they turned down signing Azamat Kerefov (29 16-0 ACA flyweight champ), along with Khuseyn Shaykhaev and Eduard Vartanyan last year. They just don't want them for the most part.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

@helax @StonedLemur @Kryptt @Neck&Neck @Poirierfan

 

[Tweak896]

They don't want Russian fighters. Not only did they let Askarov go but they turned down signing Azamat Kerefov (29 16-0 ACA flyweight champ), along with Khuseyn Shaykhaev and Eduard Vartanyan last year. They just don't want them for the most part.

probably visa issues behind the scenes.

 

[Kourtland]

FLW is an absolute mess right now. With Pantoja having 3 wins over Moreno and 2 wins over Royval, few people would be interested in those fights. And he already has wins over Kara-France, Perez, Kape, and Schnell. That's wins over current #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9. The only guys he hasn't beaten are #3 Albazi (injured), #5 Nicolau (KO'd in his last fight), and Mokaev (already scheduled against Perez).

Making Alex-Hill the 300 headliner not only disappointed most people regarding that event, it also robbed 301 of a headliner. Pantoja vs. anyone currently wouldn't even be close to a ppv main event. I know they ideally want a Brazilian champion to headline in Rio, but I suspect they'll have to bring in a non-Brazilian to be the main event (possibly Leon or Aspinall) and make Pantoja the co-main (possibly against Kape)

The non brazillian would also have to agree to it as well.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

10-8 Conor for both those dudes. Whoever they are.

 

[Psychojoe86]

Mokaev has been struggling in his fights but he does always end up winning each time. Beating Perez should make him the front runner to face pantoja next.

Personally I hope that fight happens at 301, but if Mokaev is held up with Ramadan, he may elect to fight at a later event. Not sure if ufc 301 is an option but I hope so

 

[RockyLockridge]

Should be Albazi unless the UFC can sign Horiguchi.

albazi is injured and pulled out of a fight last weekend.


IMO it's a forgone conclusion that mokaev gets the fight if he wins this weekend

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

Why? Just because there would be some nostalgia factor for the hardcores? If we're going the completely undeserved title shot route, I'd rather see Pantoja fight Taira.

Horiguchi has been out there beating top Bantamweights Like Darrion Caldwell who dwarf him badly. Horiguchi was a top guy when he left, only losing to DJ. Taira hasn't done anywhere near as much as Horiguchi.

 

[The_Renaissance]

Only option is Mokaev if he runs through Perez without injury.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Only option is Mokaev if he runs through Perez without injury.

Yup it’s open and shut he’s about to get his shot via right place right time

Of course he has to be Perez which I assume he will

 

[Dana's Conscience]

Horiguchi has been out there beating top Bantamweights Like Darrion Caldwell who dwarf him badly. Horiguchi was a top guy when he left, only losing to DJ. Taira hasn't done anywhere near as much as Horiguchi.

Shouldn't the emphasis be on what he's done at FLW as of late? He's beaten two Japanese no names. Obviously the Taira thing wasn't meant to be taken in full seriousness, but there are certainly guys more worthy of a shot than Horiguchi, even if they're not that worthy in general.

Horiguchi's been out of the UFC for 8 years, and even though he was a top guy, look at who he fought. The only win that would be relevant in the division today is Bagautinov.

 

[TheRealWill]

If Mokaev smokes Alex Perez this week, i'm almost certain they might push him for the titleshot with Brazil/Saudi/Abu Dhabi cards coming up.

Isn't Mokaev in Topurias division(145)?

Pantoja is 125 for sure...

I might confusing some of them 'Evs' and 'Ovs' that all are like 16 to 19 wins and 0 to 2 losses.

EDIT - Pretty sure I was thinking of Mosvar Evloev.

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

Shouldn't the emphasis be on what he's done at FLW as of late? He's beaten two Japanese no names. Obviously the Taira thing wasn't meant to be taken in full seriousness, but there are certainly guys more worthy of a shot than Horiguchi, even if they're not that worthy in general.

Horiguchi's been out of the UFC for 8 years, and even though he was a top guy, look at who he fought. The only win that would be relevant in the division today is Bagautinov.

I mean look what they gave Chandler and Alvarez when they came over... Chandler got a title shot from 1 win and Eddie got one after going 1-2 in his first 3 with the 2 wins begins split decisions. Both were given high ranking guys immediately. With what Horiguchi did both inside and outside the UFC it's safe to assume that at worst he'd get a top 5 guy and then a title shot. So either instant title shot or one win and then a title shot but he's not going to have to fight a bunch of contenders or anything.

 

[duke_droese]

Mokaev probably gonna win but fight through a broken limb or something like normal lol. I don't think he'll make 301.

 

[mjfan23]

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja traveled to Mexico to watch the main event of UFC Fight Night 237 last Saturday certain of two things.



First, the winner of the evening’s headliner would determine his opponent for UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro on May 4 and second, he would receive a hostile reception from fans in Mexico City. As it turned out, Pantoja was in for a surprise.

“I thought I was going to be offended by the Mexicans, and it was exactly the opposite,” he said. “They welcomed me very affectionately and even shouted ‘Hey hermano, Pantoja is Mexicano.’”


The result of the UFC Mexico main event may have altered the promotion’s plans, as Brandon Royval took a split decision over Brandon Moreno in a somewhat surprising result.

“I think the whole stage was set for Moreno to win and come to Rio,” Pantoja said. “The fight was very even and the fact that he beat Moreno months after I won five rounds against him [Royval] shows the level I'm at. If the UFC did not do any promotion after the fight, it made it clear that they should not be interested in doing this match again at UFC 301.”

Royval later revealed on Instagram that he likely tore the MCL in his knee. For his part, Pantoja said he’d be willing to accept any UFC decision in order to remain on the UFC 301 card.

“Royval tore his ligament, Manel Kape didn't make weight to fight Nicolau, Albazi had surgery,” Pantoja said. “In fact, my category is one of the most competitive. If you pick the [No. 20] flyweight, he has every chance of giving me a tough fight. It all depends on [matchup].”

Pantoja then used an analogy from the first film in the Rocky series, when Apollo Creed agrees to face the newcomer, Rocky Balboa.

Eager to Remain on UFC 301 Card, Alexandre Pantoja Keeping Options Open

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja traveled to Mexico to watch the main event of UFC Fight Night 237 last Saturday certain of two things.

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