Alexandre pantoja is the UFC flyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
Challenger's hunger and champion's mentality! Alexandre pantoja barely celebrated his victory No. UFC 317 and is already thinking about his next challenge. The Brazilian finished Kai Kara France with a rear naked choke in the third round and then accepted the 23-year-old, Joshua Van, as the next challenger for the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg), already having a date scheduled for the fight.
In an interview with 'UFC Brasil', Pantoja recognized the talent and motivation of Joshua Van and stated that he sees it as his biggest challenge. The Brazilian highlighted that he is already fully focused on this new challenger, as is the UFC, which has shown interest in promoting an unprecedented fight for the champion.
“He’s a young guy, 23 years old, coming with a lot of desire. So, I think this will be my biggest challenge. I can now turn the page: the time has passed.” Kai Kara France, now I start thinking about Joshua Van. I think the UFC really wanted to do this, to propose a new fight,” he said. Alexandre pantoja.
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The champion reinforces that Joshua Van represents the biggest challenge of his career, precisely because he is a young opponent, with less physical wear and tear and without the history of battles that he has already faced. Pantoja emphasizes that, even though he is the current champion, he will return to training with the mentality of someone who is looking to win the belt again.
“I see that this will be the biggest challenge of my career, because he is not a fighter who has been through the battles that I have. He is coming into this fight very fresh. When I return to the gym on Monday, I will no longer have this belt on my shoulder, because I will be wanting to win it again. And I already know who I will face. I will ask to fight in December and I will go after this belt again”, concluded Pantoja.
Pantoja reveals winning mentality
Alexandre pantoja has a curious mindset, to say the least, to stay motivated and hungry for victories. The flyweight champion does not see his fights as just belt defenses, but rather as new achievements to be achieved.
“I always want more. It’s that idea that we’re not defending, but rather building. And I always want more, right? That’s the mindset… I’m going to get another belt, I’m not going to defend it. I’m already collecting: I have four (now five), now I want to complete the eight.”, he explained. Alexandre pantoja in an interview with UFC Brazil before the fight.
At 35, Alexandre pantoja has a solid record in the UFC, with 14 wins and only three losses. The Brazilian won the flyweight belt in July 2023, beating Brandon Moreno, and successfully defended against Brandon Roval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura e Kai Kara France.
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