Shortly after Alexandre Pantoja defeated former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner, the reigning flyweight champion made an interesting use of his mic time inside the Octagon.
“This is the level, the level of the UFC here is very high. Do you think you’re Japanese? [fighter] Are you going to come over here and get my belt? No, when the Octagon is locked, this is my city, this is my city,” Pantoja said in his post-fight interview.
“He doesn’t fight anymore. He retired this year. But this is for Demetrius Johnson,” Pantoja added. “I’m a goat here. If you want to prove that you’re a goat, come back.”
Johnson was a longtime UFC flyweight champion before being traded to ONE Championship in 2018 for Ben Askren. ‘Mighty Mouse’ continued his distinguished career with the Singapore-based promotion, winning the title at 135 pounds, before announcing his retirement in September this year. Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest flyweight of all time and one of the greatest pound-for-pound mixed martial artists.
However, even though Johnson was not yet contractually bound to ONE, he made it clear that he had no interest in facing the current UFC flyweight champion.
“Guys, I have been offered $2 million to fight,” Johnson wrote to X. I don’t want to fight anymore. ”
Guys, I was offered $2 million to fight!! I said no, I don’t want to fight anymore, the YouTube video will be deleted soon 😊
— Demetrius Johnson (@MightyMouse)
December 8, 2024
In his postgame press conference, Pantoja responded to Johnson’s social media posts, noting that his challenge is about more than financial security.
“It’s not about money. I don’t fight for money. I fight to prove myself, [that] I am the best of the best. I think everyone does that,” Pantoja said. “Obviously, we need all the bills and the mortgage and we’re here to see who’s the best. That’s what I did tonight. I’m very happy to have it so I can pay my bills and put my kids in a good place.
“But I’m not just fighting for money. Demetrius Johnson, it’s not about the money, brother. It’s about seeing who is the best of the best. I saw him retired. I don’t know about his contract. I don’t know if there’s a reason why I can’t come. But it’s not about money, brother. It’s about seeing who is the best. That’s why I wake up every day and strive to be the best I can be.”
Pantoja has compiled quite the resume throughout his UFC career. In addition to three successful flyweight title defenses, he is tied with Johnson and Benavidez for the most wins in UFC history at 125 pounds with 13. His record includes notable wins over Brandon Moreno (twice), Brandon Roybal (twice), and Steve. Erceg, Alex Perez, Manel Cape, etc.
