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Alexandre Pantoja is ready to defend the UFC flyweight championship within the co-main occasion of UFC 296 on Dec. 16, the identical evening Colby Covington challenges Leon Edwards for the welterweight strap in Las Vegas, and the American High Crew product desires nothing to do along with his former teammate.
Covington parted methods with ATT in 2020 after a sequence of public feuds with teammates Jorge Masvidal, Dustin Poirier and Joanna Jedrzejcyk. Pantoja stated on MMA Preventing’s Trocação Franca podcast that Covington, who now trains at MMA Masters, remains to be not welcome on the Florida-based health club.
“Everyone desires to kill him there,” Pantoja stated. “I don’t care, brother. I stroll my path. I do know the whole lot he says is pure advertising. I work with [ATT boxing coach] Gabriel de Oliveira and Gabriel is an individual I respect quite a bit, and he says [Covington] has all the time revered him. To me, you earn factors if you happen to deal with properly somebody I like.”
Pantoja, nevertheless, has no intention to be pleasant or cordial in the direction of Covington throughout UFC 296 combat week.
“I don’t care,” he stated. “I used to be born in Copacabana and we’re disgusting in the direction of everyone [laughs]. There’s an artist proper subsequent to you and also you don’t care. I respect him quite a bit as an athlete, however in a means I’m extra linked to Leon Edwards due to his life story and the whole lot he’s performed. Leon Edwards is certainly somebody I’d exit of my strategy to shake palms and want him a great combat, say I’m an enormous fan his work. Now, about {that a}******, I received’t say something. Depart him alone [laughs].”
Covington has admitted public he modified his public persona previous to combating Demian Maia in Brazil in worry of being minimize from the UFC, and that persona has propelled him into extra worthwhile alternatives inside and out of doors the octagon within the type of rivalries with a number of the finest UFC welterweights. Pantoja stated all of it comes with a worth, although.
“I feel he’s a kind of individual that allow fame change his character,” Pantoja stated. “The factor is you possibly can’t character, however he let loose all that stuff of speaking badly a few nation and whatnot and saved it going, and he’s misplaced quite a bit with that. It’s not a good suggestion to go away American High Crew. With all due respect to different groups, I’ve been half of some, however American High Crew was the perfect match for me. It’s such an unimaginable construction and so many nice coaching companions.”
“[Covington] moved to a group the place he thinks he’ll get all the eye, however I feel MMA will not be about that,” he continued. “Although we’re combating alone in there, there’s an excellent group behind us. [At ATT] you’re simply one other one coaching, however I feel Colby couldn’t deal with being simply one other one. He wished all the eye however he wouldn’t get that right here.
“American High Crew proprietor all the time tells [coach Marcos] Parrumpa that he likes my perspective within the health club as a result of I’m all the time open to coaching with each coaching associate. I used to be simply serving to Kayla Harrison and the session was superior, you already know? I like serving to everyone as a result of I get a lot assist too. [Parrumpa] says Dan Lambert was very emotional after I received the belt due to that precise motive, as a result of I dedicate to assist my teammates as properly. Colby can’t try this. He desires to be the principle individual on a regular basis, and that wouldn’t be potential at American High Crew.”
Covington vs. Edwards may appeal to extra eyeballs to UFC 296 at T-Cellular Enviornment, that means extra money to Pantoja’s pockets within the type of pay-pre-view factors. The PPV portion of the present additionally options Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson, Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett, and Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry.
“That card is superior,” Pantoja stated. “I rejoice each identify that will get in there. Paddy from England, so there’s the English viewers he brings that can promote properly. There’s additionally Leon Edwards, a champion from England. And Ferguson, too. I’m so pumped and pleased with this chance. I feel I’ve earned, my household and I deserve this. Nevertheless it’s like I stated, I’m very centered. I’ve a mission on December 16 so don’t invite me for something till December 17 as a result of I’m centered. The objective is to defend the title — and it’s on the identical area I received it, so I’m undoubtedly coming again residence with the belt.”
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