Alexandre Pantoja more interested in defending UFC flyweight title than Merab Dvalishvili
LAS VEGAS – Alexandre Pantoja has heard some of the fan chatter rallying behind a potential champion vs. champion superfight with Merab Dvalishvili. Unfortunately for those fans, Pantoja isn't too keen on the idea.
Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC), champion of the UFC flyweight division, is more interested in maintaining his reign in his weight class than going up to challenge Dvalishvili for a second divisional title. The Brazilian, who defends his belt Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 317 against Kai Kara-France (25-11 MMA, 8-4 UFC), didn't outright shut down a fight with Dvalishvili, but he did express little interest in making it happen – at least in the immediate future.
"I have a huge respect for Merab," Pantoja told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's UFC 317 media day. "... Merab passed through everything like myself and I have really respect for that. ... I want to fight the best in the world. If I have an opportunity to fight with Merab, of course I would accept, but that's not something I really look for.
"I have my division. I'm super excited for that division. There are a couple of new names coming. Joshua Van is a nice surprise for everybody. He fights so good. He make a very good fight against Bruno, and maybe he's the next challenger for me."
Pantoja is enjoying very much the current state of the UFC flyweight division. He thinks it's the best it's ever been. Pantoja sees many options for his next title defense, should he beat Kara-France, including 23-year-old Joshua Van, who's fighting veteran Brandon Royval on short notice at UFC 317.
"I'm super excited with (flyweight)," Pantoja said. "People say, 'Hey, you need to move on to bantamweight.' No way, man. We have so many entertaining fights here. Joshua Van, I say the guy, he grabbed the golden ticket like the Willy Wonka Factory. He has the ticket, man. That's super crazy. If he passes Royval, he's the next on the line. Of course, you have Kyogi, Manel Kape is there. I feel bad for Manel Kape. Every time he's close to the belt, something happens. I know he's a very good fighter, and he has a lot of skills. I hope to fight him in the future.
"I want to fight against the best guys in the world. That's what I like. That's it. Flyweight. I think last year, 2024, was the best year for flyweight. People are staring to appreciate much more that division. Now you can say 10, 15 names from the flyweight division, and I'm the champion of that."
UFC 317 takes place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card is available on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
25 minutes ago
- New York Post
Inter Milan blanks River Plate to advance in FIFA Club World Cup
SEATTLE — Francesco Pio Esposito scored in the 72nd minute and Alessandro Bastoni added an insurance goal in stoppage time to lead Inter Milan to a 2-0 win over River Plate on Wednesday night and into the second round of the Club World Cup. Esposito's goal came just six minutes after River Plate's Lucas Martínez Quarta was shown a red card after taking out the legs of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a breakaway and preventing a clean shot on goal. Just two minutes before the red card, River Plate came close to taking the lead when Manuel Lanzini found Facundo Colidio in the box with a cross, but Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer made the save. Bastoni's goal came on a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 93rd minute. River Plate's Lucas Martinez Quarta tackles Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan and gets a red card during their 2-0 loss in their Club World Cup match. AP Inter Milan finished atop Group E with seven points, two more than Monterrey, which finished second in the group following a 3-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday night. River Plate finished in third with four points and Urawa Red Diamonds finished in last, going 0-3. Key moment Esposito, a 19-year-old striker, notched his first career goal for Inter Milan after assisting on the squad's winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday. Players react during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle on June 25, 2025. AP Takeaways Inter Milan plays Fluminense — one of four Brazilian clubs to advance to the round of 16 — on Monday in Charlotte, N.C. Monterrey plays Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday 1 at Atlanta.
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Inter Milan advances at Club World Cup with 2-0 win over River Plate
Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Francesco Pio Esposito scored in the 72nd minute and Alessandro Bastoni added an insurance goal in stoppage time to lead Inter Milan to a 2-0 win over River Plate on Wednesday night and into the second round of the Club World Cup. Esposito's goal came just six minutes after River Plate's Lucas Martinez Quarta was shown a red card after taking out the legs of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a breakaway and preventing a clean shot on goal. Just two minutes before the red card, River Plate came close to taking the lead when Manuel Lanzini found Facundo Colidio in the box with a cross, but Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer made the save. Bastoni's goal came on a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 93rd minute. Inter Milan finished atop Group E with seven points, two more than Monterrey, which finished second in the group following a 3-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday night. River Plate finished in third with four points and Urawa Red Diamonds finished in last, going 0-3. Key Moment Esposito, a 19-year-old striker, notched his first career goal for Inter Milan after assisting on the squad's winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday. Takeaways Inter Milan plays Fluminense — one of four Brazilian clubs to advance to the round of 16 — on Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Monterrey plays Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday 1 at Atlanta. ___ AP soccer:
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UNC freshman drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets
Drake Powell, UNC basketball freshman, was taken No. 22 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets. With the 22nd pick of the NBA Draft the @ATLHawks select Drake Powell (@powellxdrake)!2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm LIVE on ABC & ESPN! Originally projected to be a late first-round pick even falling to the second round in some final mock drafts like ESPN, Drake Powell was selected as the No. 22 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. The Hawks then sent Powell to the Brooklyn Nets. The deal that landed Brooklyn the No. 22 overall pick involved the Boston Celtics as well, moving Kristaps Porzingis. Powell will head north in the Eastern Conference, where he will team up with star guard Cam Thomas and fellow Tar Heel Cameron Johnson. The team also boasts De'Angelo Russell, Drew Timme, and Keon Johnson. Last year, the Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft before going 40-42 this season. They ended last season in the No. 12 spot in the Eastern Conference with a 26-56 record. They have already drafted BYU guard Egor Demin with the No. 8 pick. Powell will add much-needed two-way play for the Jordi Fernández-coached team that lacked much resemblance of defense last season. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game last season while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from behind the arc. Still very much raw talent, the right organization could take Powell and mold him into the potential of a star two-way player like Mikal Bridges or Norman Powell. Time will tell how Powell will fit into the rotation and what kind of player the Nets can groom him to become, but they obviously saw something great in him. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
