Alexandre Pantoja achieved his lifelong dream at UFC 290 by winning the Flyweight title in an epic battle against Brandon Moreno. Read all about the thrilling fight and Pantoja’s journey to success.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja won the Flyweight title at UFC 290. |
| The fight against Brandon Moreno was hailed as a “Fight of the Year” contender. |
| Pantoja’s victory marked a turning point in his life. |
Alexandre Pantoja achieved his lifelong dream at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023. The Brazilian fighter, known as the “Cannibal,” faced off against Brandon Moreno in a thrilling co-main event Flyweight title bout. Pantoja entered the fight with two previous wins against the now-former champion, making the match even more intense. The fight between Pantoja and Moreno was hailed as a “Fight of the Year” contender and received the “Fight of the Night” honors.
Pantoja, 33, emerged victorious with a split decision over Moreno, improving his record to 26-5. This win was a life-changing moment for Pantoja, who had faced challenges in providing for his family during the pandemic. He had to separate from his family for eight months, and the sacrifice weighed heavily on him. However, Pantoja’s determination led him to win his fight against Manel Kape, allowing him to provide a down payment for a house and bring his family back to the U.S.
Pantoja’s journey to success was not without its hardships. After his fight with Kape, the money was tight, and both Pantoja and his wife had to take on additional jobs to support their family. Pantoja started driving for Uber, while his wife cleaned houses. Despite these challenges, Pantoja remained focused on his family and their well-being.
The win against Kape marked the beginning of Pantoja’s four-fight winning streak. In addition to his MMA career, Pantoja also participated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and worked as an Uber Eats driver. Just a week before his fight against Brandon Royval, Pantoja was still doing Uber Eats deliveries. However, his determination paid off, as he submitted Royval with a second-round rear-naked choke and earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.
For complete UFC 290: “Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez” results and play-by-play, click here.
Summary
| Key Points |
|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja won the Flyweight title at UFC 290. |
| The fight against Brandon Moreno was hailed as a “Fight of the Year” contender. |
| Pantoja’s victory marked a turning point in his life. |
Persons Mentioned
- Alexandre Pantoja
- Brandon Moreno
- Manel Kape
