Should Alexandre Pantoja Retire After UFC 331 Loss? Demetrious Johnson Weighs In
- Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has advised Alexandre Pantoja to walk away from MMA, according to statements made on Johnson's YouTube channel.
- It’s hard because he was a champion, and he’s beat Brandon Moreno, he’s beat Brandon Royval
- Johnson further noted that potential opponents are limited, with Manel Kape scheduled to face Joshua Van next.
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has advised Alexandre Pantoja to walk away from MMA, according to statements made on Johnson’s YouTube channel. The UFC Hall of Famer pointed to a lack of viable, high-level matchups for Pantoja in the current flyweight landscape as a primary reason to retire. Johnson highlighted that Pantoja has already defeated top contenders in the division, leaving him in a difficult competitive position.
Demetrious Johnson Advises Pantoja to Walk Away
It’s hard because he was a champion, and he’s beat Brandon Moreno, he’s beat Brandon Royval
Demetrious Johnson
Johnson further noted that potential opponents are limited, with Manel Kape scheduled to face Joshua Van next. Because Pantoja has cleared out much of the division’s elite, Johnson argued that remaining active would mean taking unnecessary risks against unranked newcomers or teammates like Kyoji Horiguchi.
That’s where my black ass just goes, ‘Dog, ride off into the sunset. You don’t need to get hit. You don’t need concussions anymore. You’ve done your thing.’
Demetrious Johnson
Pantoja Breaks Silence After UFC 331 Defeat
Alexandre Pantoja broke his silence following the loss by sharing a famous cinematic quote on Instagram, signaling his mindset after the seventh defeat of his professional career. Rather than addressing retirement directly, the former champion posted an excerpt reflecting resilience from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa.
The world is not a big rainbow. It’s a filthy place, it’s a cruel place. Who doesn’t care how tough you are. It’ll bring you to your knees and you’ll be on your knees forever if you let it.
Alexandre Pantoja
The shared message emphasized perseverance through hardship and personal accountability over blaming external circumstances. Pantoja concluded his social media post by expressing gratitude to his supporters.
Thank you all for your kind words and support as always
Alexandre Pantoja
Future Outlook for the Flyweight Division
While the social media post suggests Pantoja is determined to keep moving forward in his athletic career, the veteran fan favorite has not yet issued an official statement regarding his future in the UFC. Commission scoring discussions surrounding the UFC 331 main card have added further chatter to the aftermath of the event. With Joshua Van holding the flyweight championship and contenders like Manel Kape waiting in the wings, the division continues to shift while Pantoja weighs his next steps.
