The UFC flyweight division is caught in a whirlwind. At UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja cemented his dominance with a second-round submission of Kai Asakura. The former RIZIN bantamweight champion was poised to make history as the first Japanese UFC champion if he managed to prevail over the Brazilian. But Pantoja? He had other plans!

In the second round, Pantoja locked in a rear-naked choke and left Asakura asleep on the cage floor as he secured the 3rd defense of his flyweight crown in spectacular fashion.  ‘The Cannibal’ is now on a 7-fight unbeaten streak, leaving the MMA sphere to wonder, who’s next for Pantoja? Enter Deiveson Figueiredo.

Speaking with Laerte Viana, the former two-time flyweight champion declared, “Since he [Pantoja] is looking for someone, I think I’m the best option, I’m available, man. In my entire career in the UFC, I only missed weight once. If I have to make weight, I’ll go there and fulfill my commitment.”

This isn’t a random callout. Figueiredo has history with Pantoja. Their paths crossed at UFC 240 in a fight that Figueiredo insists he dominated as he further stated, “And our first fight wasn’t easy for [Pantoja]. It was a three-round fight and I certainly won all three.”

His words carry the weight of a warrior’s promise, but can he deliver? Figueiredo’s run at bantamweight recently faced a setback as he lost a unanimous decision to Petr Yan that snapped a 3-fight winning streak for ‘Deus Da Guerra’. Now, with his sights set on reclaiming his old crown, the fans have been left in a frenzy over this challenge. Here’s a look at what they had to say!

Dana White put on the spot as Alexandre Pantoja receives a fresh challenge from Deiveson Figueiredo

For one fan, the UFC 240 clash between Alexandre Pantoja and Deiveson Figueiredo is a reminder of the dangers the former flyweight champion can pose to ‘The Cannibal’. Coming into their 2019 clash, Pantoja was on a 3-fight win streak but Figueiredo proved too much for him to handle. While the fight was an all-out brawl, Figueiredo walked away with a unanimous decision win and the bout won ‘Fight of the Night’ honors as well! Can Pantoja’s evolution allow him to settle the score this time around?

“Figgy domination once again”

UFC CEO Dana White was also put on the spot by the fans to make sure this match-up happens. At the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, Pantoja had indicated, “I don’t fight more for money. I fight to prove myself. I’m the best of the best. I think everybody has to do that.” And what better way to prove his dominance than to avenge his loss against his fellow Brazilian? What do you think?

“Book it”

However, if White does make this matchup happen, a win here could potentially propel Alexandre Pantoja into rarified air with flyweight legend, Demetrious Johnson. In fact, after his UFC 310 victory, the champion had made a bold call-out by stating, “I’m the GOAT here, If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”  Johnson’s response? In a post on X, the recently retired former champion shared, “Guys I got offered 2 million dollars to fight!! I turned it down I don’t care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon”

“Hell yeah, but if Pantoja beats Figgy, he’ll arguably be tied with MM as the best flyweight of all time ngl”

The fact that Figueiredo recently came up short against Petr Yan didn’t escape the fan’s notice either. Their solution? A clash between ‘Deus Da Guerra’ and no. 10 ranked bantamweight Mario Bautista, while Pantoja deals with the no. 4 ranked Kai Kara-France. It’s also interesting to note that Kara-France and Pantoja have yet to face each other inside the Octagon!

“He just lost how does he get another title shot. Figueiredo vs Bautista and Kai Kara France vs Pantoja”

Another fan brought an interesting point as they highlighted the fact that since his 2019 loss to Figueiredo, ‘The Cannibal’ only lost once more to Askar Askarov in 2020 before beginning his win streak that is still going strong!

“Pantoja is way better now”

In conclusion, while some fans are calling for alternate matchups, such as Kai Kara-France for Pantoja and Mario Bautista for Figueiredo, the potential for a grudge match between the two Brazilians feels almost inevitable. With stakes this high, the fight isn’t just about a belt—it’s about legacy. Can Alexandre Pantoja, now riding an impressive 7-fight win streak, avenge his 2019 loss to Figueiredo and further bolster his claim as the flyweight GOAT? Or will ‘Deus Da Guerra’ prove his dominance once again and reclaim the throne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!