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LAS VEGAS – UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja sent Muhammad Mokaev some encouraging words.
Undefeated contender Mokaev (13-0) was on the cusp of a title shot after defeating Manel Kape at UFC 304 in July, but instead, was surprisingly not re-signed by the UFC.
Mokaev and the UFC parting ways took many by surprise, especially with Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) having already cleared out the majority of the contenders in his division. Pantoja was asked his thoughts on Mokaev’s release, and the champion thinks we could be seeing him in the octagon again.
“I think Mokaev is very talented,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day. “He’s very young. He has a dream. He has a wish to try to be the youngest UFC champ.
“I think he has an opportunity to get back to the UFC. He’s a very good talent, and of course he’s someone that can show the UFC he’s a very good fighter, and he has a chance to fight for the belt.”
Pantoja’s next title defense comes against newcomer Kai Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Mokaev gave his breakdown on the title fight.
“If the fight goes to the decision, I think Pantoja is going to win,” Mokaev told MMA Junkie. “But if it’s a finish, if it comes to striking, I think Kai Asakura has a better chance, whereas Pantoja has a better ground game. For me, it depends where the fight will go – but I think Pantoja will beat him.”
Mokaev booked his first fight after parting ways with the UFC. He takes on former EFC champion Luthando Biko (12-3) in a flyweight bout Dec. 13 at Khalifa Sports City in Bahrain.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.