Imagine two elite fighters, not just teammates but friends, openly expressing excitement at the prospect of facing each other for the ultimate prize in their sport. That’s exactly what’s happening between Alexandre Pantoja and Kyoji Horiguchi, and it’s as fascinating as it is rare. After Horiguchi’s dominant return to the UFC at UFC Qatar, where he submitted Tagir Ulanbekov in the third round, he didn’t hesitate to call out his American Top Team teammate for a shot at the flyweight title. Pantoja’s response? Laughter—and not the nervous kind. ‘My family and I laughed so much,’ Pantoja told MMA Fighting, ‘because we enjoyed the fight so much.’ But here’s where it gets intriguing: Pantoja isn’t just open to the idea; he’s actively rooting for it to happen. ‘If we fight for the UFC belt, it’s going to be a privilege,’ he said, though he’s quick to remind everyone that his immediate focus is on defending his title against Joshua Van at UFC 323 in Las Vegas.
And this is the part most people miss: Pantoja credits Horiguchi for his own success. ‘I have this belt right now because I have Kyoji in the same room to train with,’ he explained. Horiguchi’s relentless work ethic and 100% effort, even in drills, have pushed Pantoja to new heights. ‘He’s one of the best fighters in the whole world,’ Pantoja added, boldly placing his teammate at the top of the American Top Team hierarchy. But here’s the controversial angle: Is it ever truly possible for teammates to fight each other without damaging their relationship? Pantoja seems to think so, even suggesting that their history of friendly banter in the gym could make for entertaining trash talk. ‘Maybe if I can have trash talk with someone, it’s with Kyoji,’ he said with a smile.
Before any of this can happen, though, Pantoja must first get past Joshua Van, a surging contender who’s gone from unranked to title challenger in just one year. Van’s Fight of the Year contender against Brandon Royval at UFC 317 has made him a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Horiguchi’s return to the UFC has set the stage for a potential dream matchup that would not only honor their friendship but also showcase the depth of talent at American Top Team. ‘It’s going to be a present—not just for me and Kyoji, but for the entire team,’ Pantoja said. But here’s the question for you: Would you want to see these two teammates face off, or is their bond too valuable to risk? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
