Alexandre Pantoja Says it would be an “Honor” to Face Friend and Training Partner Kyoji Horiguchi
Alexandre Pantoja has no issue with the idea of someday throwing down with long-time training room compatriot Kyoji Horiguchi if that bout offer ever came his way. Pantoja even described the chance to fight the former UFC title challenger and ex-Rizin as well as Bellator MMA champ as something that would be tantamount to a gift.
This was expressed by the reigning UFC flyweight champion during an interview with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie via Stake, as Pantoja said,
“I’m so happy for Kyoji, you know, about his performance against Tagir. Tagir is a very good fighter and Kyoji made a clinic – he looked perfect. This makes me very happy because Kyoji is one of my hardest training partners in the gym. Me and my family are very grateful to have Kyoji in my life because he raises my level up, you know, and I know 100% because I have Kyoji as a teammate, I conquered this belt in UFC.”
“Kyoji was RIZIN champ before, Bellator champ, and he just missed the UFC. That’s something he wants, and I’ve talked with him about that – I think it would be very special if he could do that, like the only one guy in the world to conquer the most significant belts in all promotions: RIZIN, Bellator, and of course UFC, the number one.”
“I feel honored, very grateful, and it’s going to be very special for me if I can win against Joshua and defend the belt with Kyoji. It’ll be a present for me, you know. This represents a lot – the chance to fight someone very important in my life.”
Alexandre Pantoja and his next in-cage test
Alexandre Pantoja already has his next fight locked in before any discourse can pick up about hypothetical fights against American Top Team compatriot Kyoji Horiguchi. Pantoja will battle the hungry, young contender Joshua Van in the co-main event of UFC 323 as the former aims to defend his 125-pound crown against the latter.
Bother emerged with their own statement wins at UFC 317 in the Summer, and it remains to be seen if Pantoja will maintain the gate here or if Van will ring in a new era for the UFC flyweight division heading into 2026.
