Finally, the day for veteran Alexandre Pantoja to settle scores with Joshua Van is approaching. This Saturday (19), in California (USA), the former flyweight king (up to 56,7 kg) faces the current champion in the main fight of UFC 331 and aims not only to win and, consequently, regain the title. The rivalry is so intense that the Brazilian has taken the rematch to a personal level.
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So much so that, at the UFC 331 media day , Pantoja promised to teach the Burmese fighter a lesson in the octagon. It's worth noting that the Brazilian has never been a fan of trash talk, but, for the fight, he doesn't deny that Van got under his skin. The rivalry began in December, in the first fight between the athletes. In that fight, the veteran was injured 26 seconds in and, due to the arm injury, lost, watched his opponent become champion and celebrate.
From then on, Van began to act as if he had beaten 'The Cannibal' in a real fight. Surprised by his rival's attitude, Pantoja didn't hide his discomfort. Later, at the press conference to promote the rematch, the Brazilian, feeling disrespected by the champion, argued and even went after him. Now, the veteran finally has the chance to get revenge and teach his tormentor a lesson.
“He did a very good job. I need to acknowledge that, and also the issue of education. When I got up, I tried to teach him a little. I'm from the 90s, back then, if you didn't respect your mother or father, they'd slap you,” said the former champion.
“At some point I thought about it, but Dana White stopped me. My sons are 15 and 12 years old. They are both very good boys, but sometimes I need to be close and shake their heads a little. Maybe I'll try to do that with Van. I have the same feeling,” he concluded.
Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja face off tensely at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Pantoja's records in the UFC
MMA veteran Alessandre Pantoja, 36, made his mark in the flyweight division as a dominant champion. The Brazilian holds the record for most wins in UFC flyweight history (14), by stoppage (8) and by submission (6). His main career victories were over Brandon Moreno (three times), Brandon Royval (twice), Kai Asakura , Kai Kara-France (twice), Manel Kape , and Steve Erceg.
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