Alexandre Pantoja has been ready a very long time to come back residence.
The flyweight champion defends his title in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro this Saturday, when he fights Steve Erceg in the principle occasion of UFC 301. Pantoja has not fought in Brazil since 2013, somewhat over three years earlier than he joined the UFC roster.
Forward of combat evening, Pantoja was requested about sharing a card with the legendary Jose Aldo and whether or not he’s ready to take over Aldo’s mantle as “The King of Rio.”
“Brazil is the actual world,” Pantoja stated. “Right here is probably the most lovely metropolis on the planet, Rio de Janeiro. I like to come back right here and that’s a particular second for me, having Jose Aldo on the identical card. I hope Jose Aldo doesn’t cease preventing. I like watching him. I realized a lot from him. I had the chance to coach with Jose Aldo at Nova União like 10 years in the past. This was very particular for me, a younger child watching Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, and so many good fighters. I keep in mind watching Jose Aldo coaching and he beat everybody in coaching. It doesn’t matter what number of opponents he had in the identical coaching, he killed everybody.
“I realized so much with Aldo, and now at ATT, American Prime Workforce, I be taught so much about defending takedowns, and Jose Aldo is among the finest to do this. I really feel that connection and I need to show how good I amm after which present to Jose Aldo I’m able to be the King of Rio too.”
When the UFC visited Rio in January 2023, Pantoja was in attendance, however solely as a backup for the flyweight title primary occasion between then-champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. The bout proceeded as scheduled, with Moreno defeating Figueiredo to regain the championship and win his four-fight collection together with his rival.
Pantoja then defeated Moreno at UFC 290 and adopted that up with a profitable title protection in opposition to Brandon Royval. Now, it’s his time to be within the highlight.
“I by no means imagined this taking place,” Pantoja stated. “Final yr, I’m right here to see Moreno and Deiveson, I’m a backup man to that combat. I feel, ‘Possibly that is taking place. Possibly God has one thing good for me.’ However now it’s higher since you see my title on the banner, I’m in the principle occasion — that’s so cool. I by no means dreamed of that as a result of no one can dream of that. Be a champion and again to your metropolis to combat for the title? That’s an excellent alternative.
“The vitality from the gang is so superb. I count on to provide again all of the vitality. I need everyone to smile after my combat.”
It’s no secret that UFC 301 is missing in star energy, with a number of of the promotion’s hottest Brazilian fighters having not too long ago been booked to stack the UFC 299 and UFC 300 playing cards. That has led to a considerably lukewarm reception to Pantoja headlining in opposition to Erceg, a rising contender who made his UFC debut lower than a yr in the past.
Pantoja welcomes a recent problem, particularly because it has allowed him to headline at residence.
“That’s an excellent title,” Pantoja stated of Erceg. “I known as the UFC to combat in Brazil, that’s my want after I defended my belt with Royval. I’ve by no means fought in Brazil for the UFC, and now again to Rio like a champ, on high of the world, that’s so cool or me and for everybody serving to me to come back to that place. Tremendous excited for that.
“I already beat all the blokes on the entrance of the road. Royval, Moreno, Amir [Albazi] has an damage. I feel Erceg could be very fortunate, however his luck goes to complete on Could 4 as a result of he’s preventing me.”
