UFC 310: Why flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja is channelling the King of Rock and Roll

At 57kg wringing wet – there’s little comparison between the physiques of the late Elvis Presley, and UFC pocket-rocket Alexandre Pantoja. But they share one bizarre dietary trait.

He’s a 57kg flyweight from Brazil, but this weekend, UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja will channel the spirit of the King of Rock and Roll as he prepares to headline Las Vegas for the first time.

One of the greatest 125-pound fighters in UFC history, Pantoja will make the third defence of his flyweight title against promotional newcomer Kai Asakura at T-Mobile Arena.

UFC 310: PANTOJA VS ASAKURA | SUN 8 DEC 2PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

After seven years and 15 fights in the UFC, it will be his first time headlining in Sin City.

And the 34-year-old is feeling every bit of Vegas’ rich showbiz history.

“Saturday night is gonna be my show, my arena, my main event,” he told this masthead from his hotel suite in Vegas last week.

“I want to make a big show. I feel like Elvis Presley.”

Hang about…Elvis?

“Yeah! I feel like Elvis here in Las Vegas. The atmosphere, the big shows. I love to come to Vegas – this is the place to do big shows.”

Elvis in action in Vegas in 1975. Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Pantoja says he usually prefers tunes from back home in Brazil, but has watched the Elvis movie three times in the last week.

“Everybody knows Elvis – he has this special gift,” he said. “Everybody still talks about him today, you know?

“He’s immortal, for everybody. I love to see how he goes to his fans, how they know his history.

“It’s what he did and how he became a superstar.

“He changed the world. He made something that impacted the whole world, and he’s still doing it.

“Only a superstar can do that.”

As for his favourite Elvis song, Pantoja – known as The Cannibal – says he prefers taking tips from the great man’s cheat meal.

“I have a couple of songs I like, but an old memory I have is about a snack he ate,” he said. “Someone told me he loved bread, peanut butter, bananas and bacon.

“I love it too. That’s my favourite thing about it.

“That’s the perfect meal for after the fight.”

Pantoja will make the third defence of his title at UFC 310. Picture: Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

And on the fight, Pantoja says Asakura won’t be overawed by the bright light city, despite never having fought in the UFC.

“He’s already a superstar in Japan,” he said of the (record) Asakura, who will become one of just a few fighters to make his UFC debut in a title fight.

“He’s fought in big arenas, so he’s not going to feel the pressure from that or from the crowd.

“I think he’s ready for the moment.

“He’s fought some big names like Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi, he has good striking and he’s big for the division.

“The UFC wants to make him a big star, but this is my world.”

Kai Asakura can become the first Japanese UFC champion. Picture: Getty Images

After three five-round wars in title fights against Brandon Moreno, Brandon Royval and Australia’s Steve Erceg, Pantoja wants to make a statement with a stoppage this weekend.

“I don’t want another five round fight – I’ve done that a lot,” he said. “And I don’t think the fans appreciate the entertainment of a back-and-forth war.

“So, I want to make it an easy fight. I want to finish it in the first round or the second round, say ‘Goodbye, everybody, Happy Christmas’ and move on to the next one.”

Originally published as UFC 310: Why flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja is channelling the King of Rock and Roll