UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja’s next title defense might’ve been prematurely released to the public during the UFC Vegas 103 broadcast.
Alexandre Pantoja has asserted himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world after defending the UFC flyweight title three times. Pantoja most recently defended the belt against one of the promotion’s most hyped signings in recent years, finishing Kai Asakura at UFC 310.
Pantoja earned the belt by defeating Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 and hasn’t slowed down in his pursuit of greatness. After successful title defenses over Steve Erceg and Brandon Royval, Pantoja is the undisputed king of the flyweights and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Fans are clamoring to see Pantoja fight again, especially after the impressive finish of Asakura in his last fight. Ahead of the UFC’s intended timeframe, Pantoja’s return might’ve been leaked during the UFC Vegas 103 post-fight broadcast.
Alexandre Pantoja’s next title defense accidentally leaked during UFC Vegas 103
Pantoja was invited onto the UFC Vegas 103 post-fight show to react to his next potential opponent, Manel Kape‘s main event finish over Asu Almabayev. Pantoja and Kape battled earlier in their careers, with Pantoja earning a unanimous decision win in Kape’s promotional debut.
As pointed out by X account Championship Rounds, the UFC included a ‘UFC 316’ graphic next to Pantoja’s name during the UFC Vegas 103 appearance. The graphic was removed after its airing, but it wasn’t removed in time for viewers not to notice it.
UFC 316 is rumored to take place in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7th at the Prudential Center. A bantamweight clash between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison is also rumored for the card.
In addition to Kape, Kai Kara-France is another potential fit for Pantoja’s next opponent. Kara-France finished Erceg at UFC 305 last year.
Alexandre Pantoja’s next opponent might’ve emerged at UFC Vegas 103
Kape and Kara-France are two of the biggest names being tossed around for Pantoja’s next title defense. But a former flyweight titleholder, Deiveson Figueiredo, teased a return to flyweight following his recent bantamweight loss to Petr Yan.
Pantoja called out Demetrious Johnson to come out of retirement following his win at UFC 310. But Johnson shut down Pantoja’s callout after announcing his retirement last year in ONE.
Pantoja also hasn’t ruled out a future move to bantamweight to face Merab Dvalishvili, who most recently defeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.
As Pantoja plots his return, potentially at UFC 316, several options are in the mix for his next booking. But in the meantime, the UFC might’ve prematurely shared the champ’s next title defense for this summer.