Flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja’s ‘bantamweight dream’ gets BRUTALLY mocked by Sean O’Malley

Sean O'Malley and Alexandre Pantoja are UFC champions. Their old history might result in a title bout if O'Malley welcomes Pantoja to the bantamweight division.

Flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja’s ‘bantamweight dream’ gets BRUTALLY mocked by Sean O’Malley

Alexandre Pantoja wants to fight Sean O'Malley at bantamweight (via Imago)

Alexandre Pantoja is the current flyweight champion. He had an ambitious target in mind. The Brazilian champion aimed to move up and challenge Sean O’Malley. Pantoja viewed the bout against the bold bantamweight king as his “dream” fight.

Alexandre Pantoja stated his willingness to compete at 135lbs in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. However, he said that desire only extended to facing Sean O’Malley specifically. This is what he said:

I can fight at 135, definitely. But everybody knows I'm small, I'm not too big, you know, I'm a really flyweight guy, and I'm just thinking about going to the bantamweight to fight Sean O'Malley, that's a good history I have with him, you know.
Alexandre Pantoja via The MMA Hour
YouTube video

Pantoja cited a training history with O’Malley from years ago. He praised O’Malley’s skills while lauding Marlon Vera’s durability against him. However, Alexandre Pantoja made clear he had no intentions beyond facing O’Malley. He flatly dismissed the idea of fighting other bantamweight contenders. Pantoja is set to face Steve Erceg at UFC 301.

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Pantoja’s callout comes fresh off his second successful flyweight title defense in December. The Brazilian out-pointed Brandon Royval to strengthen his divisional stranglehold. Meanwhile, O’Malley defended the bantamweight gold by outpointing Marlon Vera earlier this month. His knockout power and cheeky personality have accelerated his stardom. A theoretical clash between the two champions would result in a lucrative superfight. O’Malley’s popularity combined with Pantoja’s grappling could create fireworks.

Sean O’Malley responded to Alexandre Pantoja’s callout

Sean O’Malley is the current bantamweight champion. He responded to Alexandre Pantoja’s super-fight ambitions. ‘Suga’ was not impressed by the flyweight king’s callout. Pantoja had recently expressed interest in moving up to 135lbs for O’Malley. The Brazilian cited history training with the outspoken champion years ago.

Sean O'Malley responded to Alexandre Pantoja's challenge
Sean O’Malley responded to Alexandre Pantoja’s challenge (via MMA News)

O’Malley swiftly dismissed Pantoja’s chances against him in brutal fashion. Taking to social media stories, the 29-year-old labeled the potential bout “easy money.” O’Malley did not mince words when shutting down Pantoja’s ambitious callout. This savage response exemplified the brash persona that’s become O’Malley’s trademark. He never shied from confident remarks throughout his meteoric rise.

O’Malley currently seemed disinterested in granting Pantoja an opportunity. Pantoja does not have the same superstar value that Ilia Topuria holds. His dismissive insult indicated he viewed the smaller man as unworthy of competition. Hence, O’Malley remains more interested in fighting Topuria than Pantoja.

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