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UFC Flyweight contender, Alexandre Pantoja, wants a rematch with the current UFC flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. Following his win over Manel Kape at the UFC Apex, ‘The Cannibal’ revealed why he wants to fight ‘Deus da Guerra’.
The flyweight contender was asked about his thoughts mid-fight, and he said, “All the time I’m fighting with Manel, I’m thinking Deiveson Figueiredo. If I want to fight Figueiredo, I want to beat that guy, and that’s it. I want that guy. I want Deiveson Figueiredo.”
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 19: (L-R) Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil punches Askar Askarov of Russia in their flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
He also talked about how he got tricked in the first fight as Figueiredo went up to him and asked for a “street fight.” Basically, he wanted to keep the fight off the ground, and this would have favored Pantoja. However, ‘Deus da Guerra’ went back on his word and took the fight to the ground in the first round with a takedown on Pantoja.
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Alexandre Pantoja: A focused charge towards a title shot
He also said that he’s ready now and he won’t make the same mistakes that he did before. He talked about his improved fighting skills and said, “I’m still growing, and every fight I get something – and now I have more to prove.”
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“This fight is different. My cut weight is different, my mind is different… My head is so good now. I can do anything I want, I can fight with everybody and anyone. I can fight a good striker like Manel, or I can fight jiu-jitsu with any guy,” said Alexandre Pantoja.
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via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 19: (L-R) Askar Askarov of Russia punches Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil in their flyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 19, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Pantoja’s first fight with Figueiredo was a “Fight of the Night,” which he lost via a unanimous decision. Since then, he has won three consecutive fights defeating Matthew Schnell, Askar Askarov, and most recently, Manel Kape. Meanwhile, Figueiredo captured the flyweight crown after defeating Joseph Benavidez at Fight Island and has defended it twice.
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If Pantoja gets his title shot, it would be a culmination of immense hard work and dedication. The match would be nail-biting, and the MMA world demands another superstar like Henry Cejudo. Can Alexandre Pantoja be that man?
Read More: Five Surprising Facts About UFC Announcer Bruce Buffer
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