Backup man for Figueiredo vs. Benavidez, Alexandre Pantoja ‘fully focused’ on Askar Askarov

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesNow that flyweight title challenger Deiveson Figueiredo has actually made weight for his rematch against Joseph Benavidez, it seems Alexandre Pantoja will no longer be needed. Officially named the backup fighter in case the Brazilian missed weight or something else went wrong at UFC Fight Night 172’s main event, it appears that Pantoja will, in fact, take on the man he was intended to face from the start: Askar Askarov.

Although Pantoja knows there still is a slim chance of him fighting for the title, should a last minute emergency occur, Alexandre tells Ag Fight his mind is entirely focused on Askarov. However, Pantoja guarantees he…