Kayla Harrison can always shove Alexander Pantoja into the gym and count on her.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist climbed to the top of the Bantamweight mountain in June to secure a second-round obedience victory over Juliana Pena at UFC 316, winning the promotional 135 pound crown.
Harrison looked practically perfect in his first title fight within the Octagon. She is partially trusted by her first-team teammate and fellow UFC champions in America.
“(Alexandre) Pantoja is my inspiration, do you know? When I’m having a rough day at the gym, I look at him and whenever I actually go with him, this isn’t exaggerated. “I usually go with him in the last round of Monday in the MCO. If so, I’ll probably throw. For example, nine out of 10, I throw by the bucket. He’s just a leader and he’s a family guy.
“So he’s inspiring me, and to hear that he thinks it’s the best admiration he can give me. Especially from your teammates. These are people who sweat and cry and cry with you.
Alexandre Pantoja and Kayla Harrison already know:
Pantoja’s hard work paid off once again at UFC 317. “The Cannibal” cleared up Kai Kara-France in a joint main event crash during International Combat Week, earning his fourth successful defence in the flyweight championship.
Interestingly, both Pantoja and Harrison already know who they will be left to go out next. The former meets fast-growing candidate Joshua Van. Joshua Van surged into the top spot in the flyweight rankings with his brilliantly violent performance against former title challenger Brandon Roybal.
As for Harrison, she finds herself again on the clash course between her former teammate and former champion Amanda Nunes.