If UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja is running out of options, Khabib Nurmagomedov has a suggestion.
Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has already notched three title defenses over Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, and most recently Kai Asakura at UFC 310. He holds wins over the majority of the UFC’s top 15 flyweights.
Nurmagomedov thinks former UFC dual-champion Henry Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is exactly the type of opponent Pantoja needs at this point in his career.
“There is no other option for Pantoja. There is no fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “I think if they want some big fight for this weight class, they have to make this: Cejudo vs. Pantoja.”
Cejudo teased a return to flyweight after suffering back-to-back losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili at bantamweight. Cejudo vacated both his flyweight and bantamweight titles when he retired for three years in May 2020.
Nurmagomedov asked Cejudo if he can make flyweight again.
“Yeah, I can make it,” Cejudo said. “It’s just a lot of discipline. I’ve got to maybe fast for like a week, lose a good 10 pounds, and then from there just be on a strict diet. Only water, I think I’d lose about 15 pounds.”
Nurmagomedov faced 37-year-old Cejudo with a harsh reality when it comes to time.
“We have to recognize real things,” Nurmagomedov told Cejudo. “Like, if I talk about yourself, I think you’re old for this sport. But, if I’m a promoter like Dana (White), I try to make Pantoja fight with you because there is nobody else. There is nobody else. Cejudo vs. Pantoja is going to be a big name. Bring somebody old with big name, make them fight.”
Cejudo agrees that he’d be a big fight for Pantoja.
“Even if he was to beat me, it elevates him because he beat a legend,” Cejudo said.
Cejudo hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili this past February at UFC 298. Nurmagomedov advises him to ease his way back down to flyweight.
“You know what you need? Just fight 135 (pounds) to bring your body back,” Nurmagomedov said. “When you win this fight, after that don’t try to take long vacation. We talk about legacy: You have to be disciplined.
“You fight February, March take off, and jump (into) April training camp. Fight June (or) July, International Fight Week at 125 for the title. Can you imagine you come back and win 125 (title)? You can. I’m going to talk with Dana, too.”
