For flyweight champion Alexander Pantoja, the division could use a new face in Kai Asakura.
Former RIZIN champion Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) challenges Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) for the flyweight title at UFC 310 on December 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay)-per view, ESPN2, ESPN+).
The likes of top contender Kai Kara-France objected to the newcomer getting a title shot, but having eliminated the majority of the division, Pantoja believes this is the right fight.
“I think it’s time,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie. “At that time now, I think it makes sense.”
Pantoja is happy to see the flyweight division being highlighted with several headlines – most recently with Brandon Moreno’s win over Amir Elbazi in the main event of UFC Fight Night 246 last Saturday.
Brandon Royval recently picked up a main event win, bouncing Tatsuro Taira from the ranks of the undefeated at UFC Fight Night 244 in October. But with Pantoja having beaten both Moreno and Royval twice, he likes the challenge of studying a new opponent.
“I brought in Kai Asakura, the crossover — that’s what all the UFC haters are talking about: ‘UFC needs to do the crossover,’ and when the UFC does it, the haters come back and say Asakura isn’t worth fighting for. The belt,” Pantoja said. My division – I like Royval too, it was a beautiful fight he had with Taira, a competitor, very young, Japanese, beautiful fight. I loved watching the wrestling and the fighting style. But of course, Royval lost to me twice.
“I think this makes sense. This time, no one can say anything. This is good for the entire department as well, because after my fight with Asakura, everyone will get the chance to fight with this guy as well. It’s good for the entire department. When I finished my fight with ( “Steven) Erceg, and I was thinking about who my next opponent was going to be, when I looked at the top five in the UFC, I knew the game plan to fight all these guys and then bring in someone new. That’s good for me. I like that challenge.”
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