LAS VEGAS – “Like a GOAT.”
As Alexandre Pantoja grabbed hold of the microphone during his UFC 310 post-fight news conference Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, those are the first words that were out of his mouth.
Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) admits it’s been a learning curve to build his legacy and, more so, his brand. But after he slept Kai Asakura (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in Saturday’s main event, his callout was ready – and it surprised a lot of people.
“I feel I’m tied with more victories in that division,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “Then, I figured out maybe that’s why I talked about Demetrious Johnson. I’m sorry if I’m wrong to say about that. All my respect for him, but I’m sorry again. I did that. I cleaned the division. I beat the No. 1, the No. 2 multiple times. The UFC bring me another guy, another champ for all across the world. I finished him. That is the fight that makes sense for me. The flyweight is so different right now. The time that Demetrious Johnson fight, it was not like that. My last four fights, I fought with a Mexican, Australian, American, and Japanese. Things change.
“You have all the good fighters all across the world. Times like now are so hard to keep this belt. Right now, in times like that, I don’t know. Do me and Makhachev have three title defenses in the octagon right now. But that’s tough times right now. It’s not like before. But all my respect to Demetrious Johnson. I respect him. I love him because he opens all the doors for us. But that fight is what I want. If you say it to me, ‘What do you want for Christmas?’ That’s what I want.”
Pantoja’s callout didn’t fall on deaf ears. Johnson (25-4-1) quickly responded indicating he doesn’t have plans to return to fighting.
“Guys I got offered 2 million dollars to fight!!” Johnson wrote on X. “I turned it down I don’t care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon”
Johnson, 38, retired in early September and has not competed since May 2023. It’s unclear if he’s still contractually tied to ONE Championship.
But Pantoja thinks Johnson’s tweet might miss his point. It’s not about money for Pantoja, but rather further building his legacy – something Johnson could potentially do with a return fight, as well.
“That’s crazy because it’s not about the money,” Pantoja said. “I don’t fight more for money. I fight to prove myself. I’m the best of the best. I think everybody has to do that. Of course, you need your bills. You have to pay your mortgages and everything. We’re here to figure out who’s the best of the best. That’s what I did tonight. I’m super glad UFC gave me money to defend this belt. I can pay my bills. I can put my kids in a good place.
“I don’t fight for just money. Demetrious Johnson is not about money. It’s about to see who is the best of the best. I just say that because I see he is retired. I don’t know about his contract any more. I don’t know he have something (where) he can’t come to UFC any more, but it’s not about money, brother. It’s about legacy. It’s about to see who is the best.
“That’s how I live. That’s why I wake up every day – to try to be the best.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
