Alexandre Pantoja: ‘You Don’t Have To Be An Assh--- To Succeed’
Alexandre Pantoja on UFC 296 bout against Brandon Royval: “This is going to be a good f------ fight”
Alexandre Pantoja is ready for Christmas.
And he knows exactly what he wants for Christmas dinner.
“I want my wife to serve Brandon Royval’s head,” said Pantoja, staying true to his nickname. “That’s what I want. Don’t forget, I am ‘The Cannibal’.”
Pantoja, the reigning UFC flyweight champion, is seeking his fifth straight victory in the Octagon. He has the chance to deliver it on Saturday at UFC 296, where he will defend the belt against Royval in the co-main event.
Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Royval (15-6) is a formidable foe. He has won three in a row, finishing his last two opponents. Pantoja (26-5) already defeated Royval once in August of 2021, and now looks to do it for a second time in his very first title defense.
“This is going to be a good f------ fight,” said Pantoja. “I get to defend my title in front of a full arena against one of the best in the division. I know I have a tough challenge in front of me, but I’m ready.”
Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Life changed for Pantoja after winning the belt this July. Despite those changes, he has remained humble as champion.
“You don’t need to be an assh---- to succeed,” said Pantoja. “Work hard, win your fights, and the opportunities will come.
“But the belt means a lot. For my kids, my wife, the way people see us, a lot has changed. This is a good example for my kids. I work hard every day. It’s important for me to show my children that’s how you become a champion.”
Pantoja will elevate himself to a new tier if he can successfully defend his title, and that is what he plans to do at UFC 296.
“I want that belt with me on Christmas,” said Pantoja. “That’s where it’s going to be.”
ONE Championship partnering with Sky Sports
Earlier this week, ONE Championship announced an exclusive partnership with Sky Sports.
Sky Sports is Europe’s leading sports broadcaster, and the network will air ONE events across the United Kingdom and Ireland. An interesting detail is that Creative Artists Agency (CAA) served as a media advisor to ONE for this partnership, which begins next month with ONE Fight Night 18.
Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO, commented on what the deal means for ONE: “For years, our UK fans have been clamoring for ONE to be broadcast on one of the region's major networks. Today, I’m excited to announce a new partnership with Sky Sports, the premier broadcaster for live sports in the UK and one of the most well-known sports networks in the world. This deal marks an important milestone for the celebration of martial arts and the continued expansion of ONE Championship’s global footprint.”
Courtesy ONE
For fight fans, this certainly feels like an indicator that a Jonathan Haggerty-Liam Harrison bout is in play for Wembley Stadium. Sityodtong has previously expressed interest in Wembley, both Haggerty and Harrison are game, and the signs point to this being the first step to ONE hosting an event at the famed stadium.
