Alexandre Pantoja didn’t allow himself to be a victim of history.
The reigning UFC flyweight champion denied Kai Asakura’s attempt at becoming Japan’s first UFC titleholder with a thunderous victory Saturday night in the main event of UFC 310 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After dominating Asakura in the opening round, Pantoja sealed the deal with a brutal rear-naked choke at the 2:05 mark of the second round, securing his third defense of the UFC flyweight belt.
“This is the level, the UFC level. That’s here, so high. You think some Japanese [champion] is coming in here and taking my belt? No,” Pantoja said.
“He’s an awesome kid, very tough warrior. Everybody saw the highlights, crazy highlights. But it doesn’t matter. When the Octagon is locked, this is my town, this is my city.”
Following his victory, Pantoja (29-5) called out UFC legend Demetrious Johnson, who retired in September amid a reign as the ONE Championship flyweight champion.
Johnson is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time and defended his UFC flyweight title a record 11 consecutive times from 2012-17.
“He doesn’t fight anymore, he retired this year, but this is [my message] for you, Demetrious Johnson,” Pantoja said. “I’m the GOAT in here. If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”
As is becoming a pattern, Pantoja, 34, was once again sensational in victory. He took Asakura (21-5) down twice in the opening round and dropped the Japanese newcomer in the opening minutes with a stiff left hand. Pantoja then leapt onto Pantoja’s back during a second-round scramble, locked up a body triangle, and coaxed Asakura to sleep with a devastatingly tight rear-naked choke.
Asakura, 31, was making his much ballyhooed UFC debut after achieving stardom in Japan as the two-time bantamweight champion of the country’s leading MMA promotion, RIZIN Fighting Federation.
Pantoja has now won seven consecutive bouts, while Asakura falls back into the pack at 125 pounds after falling short in his promotional debut.
Johnson responded to Pantoja’s callout on social media shortly after the event finished: “Guys I got offered $2 million dollars to fight!! I turned it down I don’t care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon.”
