Rio de Janeiro – UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja says he wants to be the next ‘King of Rio’ once hall of famer Jose Aldo retires, but first he must get past Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on Saturday night.
“Brazil’s the real world you know. Here’s the more beautiful city on the planet, Rio de Janeiro, I love to come here,” Pantoja told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“That’s special moment for me having Jose Aldo in the same card. I hope Jose Aldo (doesn’t stop fighting). I love to watch him.”
Pantoja (27-5) has heard some Brazilians call him the ‘Prince of Rio’, but with the legend likely fighting his last fight in the UFC on Saturday he wouldn’t mind taking the throne
“I feel that connection. I want to prove how good I am and I’ll show Jose Aldo I’m ready to be the king of Rio too,” he said.
“I have a huge respect for Aldo because he’s a true champion. He helped a lot of people and that’s a good example. I think we need more example like Aldo.”
He’ll face a very game Erceg at UFC 301 who he fully believes he’ll defeat on Saturday night.
“I’m very humble. I don’t like to (make a prediction), but I’m going to win. Doesn’t matter how. I just (won’t) try to bite my opponent because we can’t do that, but I’m the cannibal,” he said.
“(I’m) going to go kill this guy.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Alexandre Pantoja above. He takes on Steve Erceg in the main event of UFC 301 on Saturday night.
