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UFC Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has changed his mind about a potential super fight versus Bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili.
Both Pantoja and Dvalishvili are in the midst of dominating their weight class, riding extensive win streaks over many of their respective division’s top contenders. A few months ago, however, Pantoja said he wasn’t particularly interested in moving up a division for a double champ opportunity, as he wanted to focus on defending his 125-pound belt and really clearing out that division.
Now, Pantoja is changing his tune. The Brazilian is already lined up for his next title defense opposite rising knockout artist Joshua Van, but he’s grown more interested in facing off with Dvalishvili as well. In addition to Van, he still views plenty of potential challenges at Flyweight in the upcoming young talent like Tatsuro Taira and even Mohammad Mokaev … if the grinder is ever allowed to return to the Octagon.
“That fight makes sense right now, why not?” Pantoja told Home of Fight (via MMA Junkie). “It’s gonna be amazing, but the problem is, why do I need to go to 135?”
“I keep having challenges in my division,” Pantoja continued. “Why not (Mohammad Mokaev if he returns)? He has good grappling. … Taira, he showed better boxing. When he fought Royval, Royval made him get in trouble. Now I see he have better boxing, he fixed a couple of things. Joshua have amazing boxing too, amazing skill, good takedown defense – I have very good challengers there.”
Making the super fight happen doesn’t entirely fall on Pantoja, as Dvalishvili is scheduled to face veteran contender Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on Oct. 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. If “The Machine” is able to retain his title once more and Pantoja turns away Van, then the path to a super fight is more clear.
“Of course, why not think about that (fight)?” Pantoja said. “Roll the dice. Next fight, I have a fight to fight. Merab have a fight too. It’s a good fight. Sandhagen’s not an easy guy, bro. It’s about Merab too. Merab needs to win his fight too. … It’s a good fight. It’s gonna be a banger, this fight. I’m excited to watch.”
Historically, the problem with super fights is that they crowd divisions and delay worthy contenders. In this case, however, it might make some sense. Both Pantoja and Dvalishvili are very active champions, and if they’re both victorious in the fall, their divisions could afford a six month wait while the duo duke it out. If anything, a more deserving contender would likely emerge as a result.
What say you, Maniacs: would you like to see Dvalishvili vs. Pantoja if the stars continue to align or is it better to just let the champions rack up defenses in their own class?
