Alexandre Pantoja

How Alexandre Pantoja Became the Flyweight Division’s Most Feared Fighter

Alexandre Pantoja stands as one of the most unique and underrated fighters in the UFC. At 34 years old, he is among the oldest in the flyweight division, with only a few peers close in age. Notably, Pantoja is the reigning champion, while the nearest in age among his competitors holds the eleventh spot in the rankings and is on a two-fight losing streak.

Despite concerns that age might catch up with him, Pantoja has defied expectations by securing a series of victories and capturing the championship belt. This achievement is particularly impressive considering the presence of younger contenders like Brandon Moreno, who trains in top-tier boxing gyms alongside fighters such as Canelo Alvarez.

Alexandre Pantoja Champion

Uber Driving & UFC Fighting

For a significant period of time, Pantoja balanced his UFC career with working as an Uber driver, yet he consistently triumphed over top-tier opponents in the Octagon. Now, dedicating himself fully to training, he has become even more formidable. Some of his notable accomplishments include:

  • First and only fighter to submit Brandon Royval.
  • Recorded the fastest finish of Alex Perez in UFC history.
  • The only fighter to decisively defeat Manel Kape in the UFC.
  • One of only three UFC flyweight champions to have defended the title at least once against a fighter in the same weight class.
  • Earned five performance bonuses in his last eight fights.

Alexandre Pantoja

New Dedication, New Skills

Pantoja’s progress in grappling has been significant. Early in his career, he struggled with takedown defense; for instance, Dustin Ortiz took him down seven times, and Eric Shelton did so four times. Even Brandon Moreno outperformed him in their first UFC encounter, winning the takedown battle 2-0. However, in their rematch, Pantoja turned the tables, leading in takedowns 6-2. He has dominated opponents like Brandon Royval, securing a total of 11 takedowns over two fights, including an 8-0 takedown advantage in their second meeting. In his last four fights, Pantoja has showcased superior grappling, evolving from relying solely on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to effectively controlling opponents on the ground, posing a significant challenge for anyone in the division.

As of December 2024, Pantoja continues to demonstrate his elite skills and resilience, maintaining his status as a formidable champion in the flyweight division. His next fight is a title defense at UFC 310 on December 7th!

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