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Alexandre Pantoja will reportedly be ready to step up in case something goes wrong at UFC Fight Night 173.
It seems the UFC is not willing to take any more chances while they look for a new champion for the vacant flyweight title. After Deiveson Figueiredo missed weight the last time, making himself ineligible to win the belt, he knocked out Joseph Benavidez and kept the division stuck without a champion for three more months. Ahead of their rematch, the promotion is now reportedly taking the safe route.
Per Ag Fight’s report, contender Alexander Pantoja will be the July 18’s main event backup man, in case Benavidez or Figueiredo cannot show up on fight night. The promotion’s goal seems to be having a new undisputed champion after the card is done, no matter who it may be.
Pantoja (22-4) knocked out Matt Schnell in his most recent outing, back in December 2019. The victory came right after a unanimous decision defeat to title challenger Deiveson Figueiredo, back in July of the same year. In his eight-fight UFC career, the 30-year-old scored six wins and suffered only two losses. He is currently the number four ranked flyweight.
Now, Figueiredo is expected to rematch Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 173, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on July 18. A middleweight bout between contenders Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermansson is set to be the night’s co-main event.