This weekend is UFC310 in Las Vegas with the evening set to end with a fight between Brazilian Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura in the main event.
It was not the headline event initially, that honour was due to go to Welterweights Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov, but when Muhammad was forced to withdraw, the flyweight bout got the nod to headline.
As we head towards Saturday's action, DAZN News takes a detailed look at Pantoja, a small man with a big heart.
1. Pantoja’s UFC journey
Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC career is a testament to resilience. A former Ultimate Fighter contestant, he has steadily climbed the flyweight ranks with a well-rounded skill set that includes submission grappling and striking finesse.
Pantoja is the reigning UFC Flyweight Champion, having dethroned Brandon Moreno in a highly anticipated bout earlier this year. His precision and fight IQ make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in his division.
2. Kai Asakura’s test
In this bout, Pantoja faces Kai Asakura, a formidable Japanese fighter and former RIZIN champion making his UFC debut. Asakura brings a unique challenge, with explosive striking and unorthodox techniques.
While Pantoja holds the edge in grappling, Asakura’s ability to create openings in stand-up exchanges could turn this into a highly dynamic fight.
3. Pantoja’s fighting style
Known for his relentless pressure, Pantoja excels in transitioning between striking and ground control. His grappling expertise has earned him multiple submission victories, but he is equally dangerous with his striking, often using combinations to set up takedowns or overwhelm his opponent.
His endurance and durability make him a nightmare in five-round contests, attributes that could play a pivotal role in this main event.
4. Career highlights
One of Pantoja’s most notable victories was against Brandon Moreno during their first encounter in 2018, a win that set the stage for their eventual title clash.
Additionally, his submission victory over Matt Schnell remains one of the most technically impressive finishes in the flyweight division. These moments underline Pantoja’s reputation as one of the most versatile and exciting fighters at 125 lbs.
5. What’s at stake?
This fight is crucial for both fighters. For Pantoja, a victory will cement his reign as champion and set up further legacy-defining bouts.
For Asakura, it’s a chance to announce his arrival on the world’s biggest MMA stage and establish himself as a contender in the UFC.
Interestingly though, in a high-stakes environment of fame and money, Pantoja gave a great insight of the personal stakes involved, when, after winning the UFC Flyweight title at UFC 290, he turned to camera to ask his estranged father if he was proud of him.
This came after he had revealed that he and his two brothers had been abandoned by their dad as children, leaving them to be raised by their mother.