Alexandre Pantoja, gearing up to defend his flyweight title at UFC 301, recently addressed controversial comments made by Sean Strickland about the flyweight division. Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Pantoja expressed frustration at Strickland’s remarks:
“Don’t say that. It’s crazy because people say that. You want [me to] lose my money [and] lose my job? That’s so crazy. Why [would] you say that? I’m very mad when Strickland said that for women and flyweight guys. Shut your mouth. Respect my job. I put food on my table with that. You’re crazy.”
Alexandre Pantoja Responds to Sean Strickland’s Comments
Pantoja emphasized the hard work and dedication required in the flyweight division, highlighting the diverse skill set needed to succeed:
“Every flyweight worked so hard for that and that’s why everyone respects each other in the flyweights. It’s hard [when] you see someone say bad things about us because we work hard. That’s a very hard division. We need to be training 100% [of the] time. It’s not just about one punch here. You need to be good in grappling, good cardio, good striking, good every time in every place.”
Pantoja expressed that the flyweight division deserves more recognition and respect, especially given the rigorous demands of the weight class.
Steve Erceg’s Analysis of Alexandre Pantoja
Steve Erceg, the challenger facing Pantoja at UFC 301, shared his insights on the flyweight champion during an interview with Niko Pajarillo of Main Event TV. While acknowledging Pantoja’s determination and role model status, Erceg also pointed out perceived technical weaknesses:
“I think he’s a great champion. I was talking about being a role model and I think he’s one of those people. He seems like a great dude. He really embodies determination, that sort of thing. He’s walking forward, doesn’t matter how tired he gets, he’s gonna keep pushing. But I do think, technically, he’s lacking in some areas and I’m going to exploit those areas to the best of my ability and come away as the new champion.”
Erceg predicted a third-round finish against Pantoja and aims to prove his worthiness of a title shot despite initial doubts from many in the UFC community.
The upcoming UFC 301 bout between Pantoja and Erceg promises to be an intriguing clash, with both fighters motivated to achieve victory and prove their capabilities in the flyweight division.
