Alexandre Pantoja, the current UFC flyweight champion, has stated that he would welcome a title fight against his teammate, Kyoji Horiguchi, should Horiguchi return to the UFC and earn a title shot. Horiguchi, a former champion in RIZIN and Bellator, is expected to make his UFC comeback.
While the UFC hasn`t officially announced Horiguchi`s return date or opponent, Pantoja envisions a future where he could potentially face his training partner from American Top Team. He believes that if Horiguchi can string together victories upon his return, a title fight between them could become a reality.
Pantoja emphasized Horiguchi`s crucial role in his career, saying, “Kyoji Horiguchi helped me get this belt. I don’t know if I would have had the opportunity to fight for the belt or become champion without Kyoji Horiguchi. He has been by my side throughout my training camps. If Kyoji Horiguchi contributed to my success, he also helped my family.”
Pantoja continued, “I always take the chance to thank Kyoji for everything he has done for me. Fighting him for the belt would be a pleasure, specifically for the belt. I wouldn`t consider fighting Kyoji otherwise, but a title fight is a different scenario. It would almost be a gift to share the octagon with Kyoji for the championship. I hope to remain champion and wait for Kyoji to earn his opportunity. When Kyoji and I spar in the gym, everyone stops to watch. It’s a real privilege to have him in my corner.”
Pantoja mentioned that Horiguchi already has a UFC fight scheduled, though he couldn`t disclose details. Looking ahead to his own next title defense, after defeating Brandon Moreno, Steve Erceg, and Kai Asakura, Pantoja is ready for any challenger in the flyweight division.
“One of the great things about my division is that everyone has a chance,” Pantoja commented. “I’ve fought and defeated the top contenders like Brandon Royval twice and Brandon Moreno three times. Then, they brought in rising contenders like Erceg and champions from other organizations like Asakura. I appreciate that everyone in my division can earn their shot. My next opponent is still unknown. It could be Manel Kape, Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval, Kai Kara-France, or even Merab Dvalishvili. I appreciate the openness and opportunities within the division.”
Pantoja addressed the possibility of moving up to bantamweight to challenge Merab Dvalishvili, but stated his focus remains on defending his flyweight title. With UFC 316 already featuring two title fights, Pantoja expressed interest in competing at UFC 317 in Las Vegas on June 28th.
“My goal is to win my next fight,” Pantoja stated. “I don’t currently feel like the best fighter in the world. I’m not in a full training camp right now, and traveling to Brazil disrupts my training. But when I return to American Top Team, I know everyone will push me, especially Kyoji Horiguchi, who will be eager to challenge me in the UFC. This mindset is what makes me tough.”
“I may not feel like the best fighter right now, but when I sign the fight contract and have a date, my aim is to be the best in the world on that day. That’s my constant goal – to have the opportunity to be world champion again, and to be the champion when fight night arrives.”
