Alexandre Pantoja ranks flyweight GOATs after sensational win at UFC 310, Demetrious Johnson responds to callout

Alexandre Pantoja believes he’s climbing up the GOAT rankings.

On Saturday, Pantoja successfully defended his flyweight title, submitting Kai Asakura within the second spherical at UFC 310. The win was Pantoja’s third title protection, shifting him to second on the UFC’s listing behind all-time nice Demetrious Johnson. And with a number of wins excessive contenders at flyweight, Pantoja now desires a possibility to combat the person in entrance of him.

“Like a GOAT? That’s what I’m making an attempt to do proper now,” Pantoja stated when requested about his successful streak on the UFC 310 post-fight press convention. “I really feel I’m tight with extra victories in that division. That’s why I talked about Demetrious Johnson. I’m sorry if I’m improper to say about that. All my respect to him, however I did that. I cleaned the division. I’ve beat the No. 1, No. 2 a number of instances. The UFC brings me one other man, one other champion from all internationally, and I completed him. That’s the combat that is smart for me.

“And flyweight is so totally different now. The time when Demetrious Johnson fought it’s not like that. My final 4 fights I fought with a Mexican, Australian, American, and Japanese. every thing has modified. You have got good fighters all internationally. Instances proper now, it’s so laborious to maintain this belt. … Robust instances proper now. It’s not like earlier than.”

“All respect to Demetrious Johnson. I respect him, I really like him, as a result of he opened all of the doorways for us. However that’s the combat I would like.”

Sadly for Pantoja, his dream combat doesn’t seem like an choice. Johnson has not competed for the UFC since he was traded to ONE Championship in 2018, and earlier this yr, he retired from the game. “Mighty Mouse” heard Pantoja’s callout however stated he has no intention of ending his retirement.

“Guys I received supplied 2 million {dollars} to combat!! I turned it down I don’t care to combat anymore YouTube video dropping quickly.”

So Pantoja might not get to chase Johnson down by combating him, and Johnson’s file 11 title defenses makes it a tall job to problem him that manner, however “The Cannibal” isn’t solely out of luck. His win over Asakura moved Pantoja right into a tie with Johnson and Joseph Benavidez for many wins in divisional historical past, and with Johnson and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo for many finishes in UFC divisional historical past. And for Pantoja, including his title to the file books like that has him shifting up the flyweight all-time rankings.

“That’s a tough query as a result of Demetrious Johnson has a number of defenses,” Pantoja stated when requested to ranked flyweight GOATs. “Henry Cejudo, he’s an Olympic champ, flyweight champ, bantamweight champ, after which you might have me. Then you might have Figueiredo after which you might have [Brandon] Moreno. I believe that is smart.”