Confusion Reigns At 125 lbs
One of the biggest questions to come out of UFC 310 earlier this month has been that of the next contender in the flyweight title picture.. Alexandre Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) picked up the eleventh submission victory of his career when he strangled former Rizin champion and UFC newcomer Kai Asakura to successfully defend his belt for the third time.
“The Cannibal” has now won seven straight at 125 lbs, a run that includes wins over Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval (twice), Alex Perez and Manel Kape.
Given the fact that every realistic contender at the top end of the flyweight rankings is either coming off a loss or has recently been defeated by the current champion, the discussion around who might be stepping up next to face Pantoja is certainly a complex one.
The situation hasn’t been helped by the fact that one of the clearest contenders at 125 lbs (Muhammad Mokaev) was given his marching orders by the UFC earlier this year and is now plying his trade in another promotion.
The Standout Contenders
In the weeks since Pantoja’s victory in the main event at UFC 310, two names have been circulating as the most likely options to be his next opponent.
Brandon Royval (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has been on an impressive tear over the past wo years. He has won five of his six fights in that time, including two recent victories over former champion Brandon Moreno and previously-unbeaten prospect Tatsuro Taira.
Standing in-between Royval and an automatic title shot is the fact that his last two defeats have come at the hands of Pantoja, the first back in 2021 via 2nd-round submission, and a decision loss at UFC 296 just over a year ago.
Also in the mix is Manel Kape (20-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who has (like Royval) won five of his last six, with the latest victory coming against Bruno Silva in at UFC Tampa a week ago.
Kape has also previously lost to the champion (by unanimous decision back in 2021) and despite his impressive recent run of results, has at times given the UFC their fair share of headaches.
“Starboy” has struggled to make the flyweight limit at times and even had a bout against Matheus Nicolau cancelled in January thanks to a botched weight cut. The Angolan was also one half of the disastrous bout with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 which played a part in “The Punisher” receiving his marching orders from Dana White.
Big No. 1 Contender Fight Set For 2025
It seems neither Royval nor Kape will be competing for championship gold in their next fight, however, as news emerged this week that the pair are set to meet in a five-round main event at UFC Vegas 103 on March 1st, 2025 in what will likely be a number one contender fight.
The pair will headline at the UFC Apex on a fight card which has recently been boosted by the addition of an interesting welterweight contest between the unbeaten Danny Barlow (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and UK prospect Sam Patterson (12-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC).
Cody Brundage (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) has also been handed a new opponent for the event. He will now face Julian Marquez (9-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC), who looks to snap a three-fight losing streak.
A decisive victory for either Royval or Kape should be enough to clinch a shot at gold, although it remains unclear when Pantoja will next defend his belt or who he will face.
Rumors surrounding a possible return for former champion Demetrious Johnson ended abruptly when “Mighty Mouse” took to social media to pour cold water on the idea, as he tweeted: “Guys I got offered 2 million dollars to fight!! I turned it down I don’t care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon”.
Guys I got offered 2 million dollars to fight!! I turned it down I don’t care to fight anymore YouTube video dropping soon 😊
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) December 8, 2024
Full UFC Vegas 103 Fight Card So Far
Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape, flyweight
Montana De La Rosa vs. Luana Carolina, flyweight
Lucas Almeida vs. Danny Silva, featherweight
William Gomis vs. Hayder Amil, featherweight
Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson, welterweight
Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez, middleweight
