IT'S TIME! Alexandre Pantoja opens up about promotion, upcoming fights and tough times in the UFC

The flyweight champion did not shy away from questions and addressed topics such as plans within the UFC, lifelong sacrifices and strategies in fights.

The UFC flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg), Alexandre pantoja, was interviewed at 'It's Time!', the podcast of SUPER FIGHTS. After being a corner of Renato Moicano in the main fight of UFC 311, with the lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) at stake, Pantoja is preparing for the 2025 journey, with aspirations that include fighting 'at home' and the dream of the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2 kg).

The story of the Rio native is a separate chapter in his interviews. The UFC star always has lessons for the public when sharing his life experiences, with the lightness and humility that are characteristic of him.

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Makhachev and Tsarukyan have already faced each other in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

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Fight 'at home'

Alexandre Pantoja in presentation at UFC 310. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India

Alexandre pantoja in presentation at UFC 310. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India

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During the chat, Alexandre pantoja revealed his desire to have his next fight scheduled in Miami, where he lives and trains. An event is being prepared by the organization for April in the Florida city.

“[It would be] my first time fighting in Miami. I hope it closes. I’m excited. (…) I’ve already signaled to the UFC that I would like to fight in this event. Then they start pulling strings, right? Opponent: Moreno has a fight, Royval doesn’t have a fight, we have to see who doesn’t have a fight up ahead. The UFC is in charge,” he said.

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Corner in fight for the belt

Last Saturday (18), the flyweight champion was one of the people who went out of their way to deal with with the surprise from the absence of Arman Tsarukyan in the main fight of UFC 311, against Islam makhachev, for the lightweight title. Renato Moicano that would face Beneil Dariush took charge. Tsarukyan, Moicano and Pantoja train at the same gym: America Top Team.

America Top Team. Photo: Reproduction Instagram

“A huge responsibility, right? This is my first corner at the UFC. It fell on my lap. I was there just to ‘guess’ the UFC. The UFC invites some fighters to go to the event, take pictures with the fans, and be there during fight week. Then what happened happened. Arman left and opened up a spot in Renato’s corner. I was there, he looked at me and said, ‘Let’s go. I want you in my corner.’ I was flattered to be in his corner.” he said.

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“As a fighter, I know how difficult it is. It seems like any word, any energy you use can get in the way of the fighter. I just wanted to stay behind Pitu, Gabriel and Parrumpinha… I was privileged, right? I told him [Moicano] that this invitation to watch his fight was like a winning ticket to visit the chocolate factory,” he said.

Merab Dvalishvili: a target

With the virtue of not dodging questions, Pantoja was clear in saying that he would like to face the bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili. He even demonstrated a certain sense of humor when he said that the Georgian would be 'easy money'. But before talking about him as an opponent, the Brazilian talked about a meeting of colleagues in Los Angeles.

Merab Davalishvili is the UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction X/UFC

“I had a very interesting exchange with Merab at the UFC too. I was walking down the hall and we saw Merab ‘lying’ in the gym. Alone. He was cutting weight from Thursday to Friday. We found him and asked ‘are you okay? is everything okay?’ and he replied ‘I’m fine, I like cutting weight like this’. ‘Pantoja, if you want to come up and challenge me for the belt, I’ll agree with you. You’re a great guy. I really like you… José Aldo…'. My exchange with Merab was always in this tone, you know?!”, he reported.

About this possible fight, Alexandre pantoja made his analysis during 'It's Time'.

“It’s ‘easy money’, right, bro? It’s ‘easy money’ because whether I win or lose, and obviously I never want to lose, it would be a fight without much worry. I really wanted to fight [Sean] O’Malley. However, O’Malley is a longer guy, his ground game is zero, but he’s a longer guy, harder to get to. Merab is totally different. He’s a short guy with a very good ground game, very good grappling. It would be a big challenge for me,” he revealed.

Between US$100 and US$100 thousand

Alexandre pantoja He is the UFC flyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Listening to one of the standouts of recent years in the world's largest MMA organization is always a learning experience. When recalling just one of the many 'hardships', as he likes to call them, he faced to become the high-level and recognized athlete he is today, Pantoja revealed a recent moment in the United States when he had US$ 100,00 in his wallet and the following week he earned US$ 100 (around R$ 590, at the current exchange rate) in the octagon.

“I say that one weekend I was struggling to make $100 there at Uber and the following weekend I made $100. That was really hard for me and my family.”

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