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Demetrious Johnson is convinced that Alexandre Pantoja could be the key to bringing stability to the UFC’s flyweight division!
‘The Cannibal’ made a triumphant return to the octagon at UFC 296. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja put on a dominant performance against Brandon Royval. Just two years after submitting ‘Raw Dawg’ in their first encounter, the Brazilian scored a unanimous decision victory, marking the first title defense of his flyweight reign.
His outstanding win did not go unnoticed, particularly by ONE Championship flyweight titleholder, Demetrious Johnson. The former UFC flyweight champion, who held the title from 2011 to 2018, believes Pantoja’s victory could be a turning point for the division, which has seen frequent changes in titleholders since his departure in 2019.
In an interview with MMAJunkie, Demetrious Johnson expressed admiration for Pantoja’s skill set, praising the Brazilian for his well-rounded abilities. Noting that he has long been a fan of ‘The Cannibal’, he believes Pantoja has the potential to stabilize the flyweight division.
While acknowledging that it is still early in Pantoja’s title reign, Johnson is confident in the Brazilian’s capabilities, stating that he has the full set of skills needed to secure stability for the division. He also commended Pantoja’s performance against Royval, emphasizing his exceptional grappling and impressive chin.
“I think he’s great – I’ve always had big praise for Alexandre Pantoja,” Demetrious Johnson stated, “I’ve always thought he’s a dark horse. He’s a very good, he’s a very good grappler and that’s his strong suit. He’s got a very good chin, and in the fight he looked great… He did a good job. It was a great fight. Pantoja is great for the flyweight division, and I can’t wait to see who he’s going to fight next.” (h/t MMAJunkie)
Furthermore, Johnson highlighted Pantoja’s experience and predicted that the Brazilian could offer much-needed stability to the flyweight division. He noted that the key to defeating Pantoja lies in wrestling rather than striking, a strategy that could deplete Pantoja’s gas tank and expose his vulnerabilities.
Excited about the potential in Pantoja, Johnson concluded by envisioning a bright future for the Brazilian in the UFC’s flyweight division. With Pantoja’s recent victory, Johnson is eager to witness the matchups that lie ahead for the rising star.
“…Also, he’s getting older, he’s been fighting for a very long time, how much longer does he want to do it? All these things play a factor in stability in being a champion. When I look back when I did it, 11 consecutive title defenses, finishes, and always trying to be ahead a step of my competition.