Alexandre Pantoja dominated Kai Asakura at UFC 310. His win cemented him even additional as a dominant power at 125. Taking place because the second finest ever on the time of this writing, it’s time to stay up for see what might be subsequent for Pantoja.
The plain alternative: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France
That is the battle that ought to have been made out of the soar as a substitute of Kai Asakura. Kai Kara-France completed Steve Erceg in his earlier battle. Erceg went life and loss of life with Pantoja at UFC 301. It appeared {that a} rematch from The Final Fighter was inevitable.
However Asakura was introduced in on brief discover. Now that he’s out of the best way, the Brazilian could make a fast turnaround with the minimal quantity of harm he’d obtained at UFC 310. Kara-France has been ready for his shot on the title.
Lastly, Pantoja’s win over Kara-France wasn’t an formally sanctioned bout. It occurred on TUF and is marked as an exhibition. Pantoja may very properly look so as to add Kara-France to his listing of nice names he’s defeated.
Greener Pastures
Alexandre Pantoja is all the time in search of a brand new problem at flyweight. Kai Asakura was simply that. Persevering with the development of latest challengers just like the aforementioned Asakura and Steve Erceg, we may see Asu Almabayev take a shot on the king of 125 subsequent.
Almabayev is ranked seventh on the time of those rankings however may drop when Asakura is lastly added. Erceg was ranked tenth when the 2 fought. Almabayev may have one other battle earlier than shifting to the title. Or if Pantoja desires to leap again into motion once more, simply let him soar the road and provides a distinct kind of problem.
Run it again once more (x3)
Brandon Royval is the following possibility. Having beat Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira in his final two, Royval might have the very best case to battle Pantoja outdoors of Kara-France. The one concern with Royval is that Alexandre Pantoja has beat him twice.
That stated, Royval seemingly closed the hole in the newest battle, taking Pantoja to a really enjoyable and thrilling determination. Royval could be the solely possibility if Kara-France is out for some motive. Till then, the UFC might need to guide some matchups to get new contenders within the prime 5. Tatsuro Taira, Tagir Ulanbekov, even the aforementioned Almabayev can all make a option to the highest.
To be trustworthy, Kai Kara-France is the very best and clear possibility. Let’s see Pantoja invade Australia’s finest flyweight.