A. Pantoja wants a rematch with D. Figueiredo in Brazil. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Number four among the flyweights (up to 56,7kg.), Alexander Pantoja is one victory away from being able to ask for a fight for the belt in his division. This Saturday (18), the athlete, who is the immediate substitute for the main fight of the UFC Fight Island 2, is committed to taking away the invincibility of Askar askarov and thus qualify to challenge the champion. In an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS, the fighter spoke about the confrontation, commented on the result of 'Deiveson x Benavidez' and showed confidence when talking about the future in Ultimate.
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Pantoja traveled to Abu Dhabi with the possibility of facing three opponents. With a contract signed to face Askarov, the Brazilian would be directly responsible for replacing one of the title challengers in the main fight, if something unforeseen happened. To this end, the athlete stated that he prepared very well for this weekend's card.
“I am 110% prepared. I have been training with my team for a long time. I train on a giant team (American Top Team) and I will arrive well for the challenge. (…) I'm ready to fight for the belt. I’m going to face three opponents,” said Alexandre.
Fight against Askar
After Figueiredo and Benavidez made weight, in an event held this Friday morning (17), Pantoja was confirmed as Askarov's opponent in the fight that opens the main card. Aiming for a great result, the athlete analyzed his undefeated rival in MMA.
“He is a very technical guy. He has a lot of experience. He comes from wrestling, from Greco-Roman wrestling, but I'm ready. If I can bet, I would bet on a knockout in the first round”, said Pantoja.
Look at the main fight
Starring in the eighth performance of the night, Alexandre doesn't want to relax after his commitment this Saturday. The athlete confirmed that, after his presentation, he will keep an eye on the confrontation between Figueiredo and Benavidez and will observe his likely opponent.
“I want to beat Askarov and, if the UFC wants, on the same night, I can fight Benavidez and then against ‘Daico’ (Deiveson). I will show this on the 18th”, he said.
Reckoning with Deiveson
Coming from victory over Matt schnell, in December last year, Pantoja has a score to settle with Figueiredo. The man from Pará was responsible for the last defeat in his compatriot's career, in July last year. Alexandre, however, believes that in a new confrontation the result would be different and explained why.
“I wanted to fight a lot (in the first fight). I'm a very technical guy. In the fight with ‘Daico’ I wanted to do a fight to kill or be killed, but it ended up that I took some punches that hurt me and that changed the story of the fight. I studied a lot of what happened, I reinvented myself as a fighter and I know very well what I should do now”, he said.
Fight for the belt
Alexandre does not hide his expectations for his long-awaited fight for the division belt. Passing by the Russian this Saturday, the fighter is already making plans for the location and opponent he prefers to face in his dream chance.
“I want ‘Daico’ in Brazil for the belt. It would be incredible. I would like to fight him in Rio de Janeiro. It would be the happy ending of the fairy tale”, he concluded.
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