Alexandre Pantoja

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Alexandre Pantoja
Alexandre Pantoja.png
Pantoja in 2023
BornAlexandre Pantoja Passidomo [1]
(1990-04-16) April 16, 1990 (age 34)
Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [2]
Other namesThe Cannibal
Residence Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
Division Flyweight
Reach68 in (173 cm)
Fighting out ofArraial do Cabo, Brazil [3]
TeamBlack House (formerly)
American Top Team (2018–present) [4]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins29
By knockout8
By submission11
By decision10
Losses5
By decision5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo (born April 16, 1990) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Flyweight Champion. As of December 10, 2024, he is #9 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. [5]

Contents

Mixed martial arts career

The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions

On May 11, 2016, the UFC announced that the 16 contestants for the season of this TUF would be flyweight champion fighters from various organizations around the world, with the winner being expected to have a chance to fight for the flyweight title against Demetrious Johnson. The cast was announced on July 20. The coaches for the season were the former challengers to the flyweight belt, Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo, and Pantoja was from Team Cejudo. [6]

He was ranked # 1 in Team Cejudo, and made his first fight against # 16 Team Benavidez, Brandon Moreno. The two came to interact within the house, even with Pantoja speaking Portuguese and Brandon Moreno speaking Spanish, the similarity between languages facilitated communication. In the fight, Alexandre Pantoja defeated Brandon Moreno by submission in the second round. With this victory, Pantoja went to the quarterfinals of the reality show. [7] [8] [9] [10]

Pantoja faced fellow team Cejudo member Kai Kara-France in the quarterfinals, defeating him by unanimous decision and progressing through to the semifinals. [11]

Pantoja faced Hiromasa Ougikubo in the semifinals of the tournament and was defeated by unanimous decision, and it was soon announced that he had contracted with the UFC. [12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Alexandre made his promotional debut on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox 23 against Eric Shelton. [13] He won the fight via split decision. [14]

Pantoja faced Neil Seery on July 16, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 113. [15] He won the fight via submission in the third round. [16]

Pantoja faced Dustin Ortiz on January 20, 2018 at UFC 220. [17] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [18]

Pantoja faced Brandon Moreno on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129. [19] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [20]

Pantoja faced Ulka Sasaki on November 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140. [21] He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. [22]

Pantoja faced Wilson Reis on April 13, 2019 at UFC 236. [23] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. [24]

Pantoja faced Deiveson Figueiredo on July 27, 2019 at UFC 240. [25] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [26] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [27]

Pantoja faced Matt Schnell on December 21, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 165. [28] He won the fight via first-round knockout. [29] The win also earned Pantoja his first Performance of the Night bonus award. [30]

Pantoja faced Askar Askarov at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 19, 2020. [31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [32]

Pantoja was expected to face promotional newcomer and the former Rizin FF Bantamweight champion Manel Kape on December 19, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 183. [33] However Pantoja pulled out of the fight in early December for undisclosed reasons. [34] The fight eventually took place on February 6, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 184. [35] Pantoja won the fight via unanimous decision. [36]

Pantoja faced Brandon Royval on August 21, 2021 UFC on ESPN 29. [37] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round two. [38] With this win, Pantoja earned the Performance of the Night award. [39] Pantoja was meant to fight for the UFC flyweight title but a knee injury forced him out of it. [40]

Pantoja faced Alex Perez on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. [41] He won the fight via a neck crank submission early in the first round. [42] The win also earned Pantoja his third Performance of the Night award. [43]

UFC Flyweight Champion

Pantoja rematched Brandon Moreno on July 8, 2023 at UFC 290 for the UFC Flyweight Championship. [44] Pantoja came out victorious via split decision, winning the bout and the title. [45] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [46]

In his first title defense, Pantoja faced Brandon Royval in a rematch on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. [47] He successfully defended his title, winning the bout via unanimous decision. [48]

Pantoja faced Steve Erceg on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301. [49] He won and successfully defended his title via unanimous decision. [50]

Pantoja made his third UFC Flyweight Championship title defense against former two-time Rizin Bantamweight Champion and promotional newcomer Kai Asakura on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. [51] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. [52] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. [53]

Pantoja was reportedly going to make his fourth title defense against Kai Kara-France on April 12, 2025, at UFC 314. [54] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to June 7, 2025 at UFC 316. [55]

Personal life

Pantoja is married and has two sons. After winning the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 290, Pantoja revealed in the post-fight interview that his father had abandoned his family, leaving his mother to raise him and his two brothers alone, and (facing the camera) asked his father if he was proud of him now. [56]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches29 wins5 losses
By knockout80
By submission110
By decision105
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win29–5 Kai Asakura Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 310 December 7, 202422:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the UFC Flyweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win28–5 Steve Erceg Decision (unanimous) UFC 301 May 4, 202455:00 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilDefended the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win27–5 Brandon Royval Decision (unanimous) UFC 296 December 16, 202355:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win26–5 Brandon Moreno Decision (split) UFC 290 July 8, 202355:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesWon the UFC Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win25–5 Alex Perez Submission (neck crank) UFC 277 July 30, 202211:31 Dallas, Texas, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win24–5 Brandon Royval Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum August 21, 202121:46 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win23–5 Manel Kape Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov February 6, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss22–5 Askar Askarov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 July 19, 202035:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win22–4 Matt Schnell KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie December 21, 201914:17 Busan, South KoreaPerformance of the Night.
Loss21–4 Deiveson Figueiredo Decision (unanimous) UFC 240 July 27, 201935:00 Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaFight of the Night.
Win21–3 Wilson Reis TKO (punches) UFC 236 April 13, 201912:58 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win20–3 Ulka Sasaki Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio November 17, 201812:18 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win19–3 Brandon Moreno Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman May 19, 201835:00 Santiago, Chile
Loss18–3 Dustin Ortiz Decision (unanimous) UFC 220 January 20, 201835:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win18–2 Neil Seery Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio July 16, 201732:31 Glasgow, Scotland
Win17–2 Eric Shelton Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña January 28, 201735:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win16–2 Damacio Page Technical Submission (triangle choke)RFA vs. Legacy FC 1August 5, 201525:00 Robinsonville, Mississippi, United StatesWon the inaugural AXS TV Flyweight Superfight Championship.
Win15–2Matt ManzanaresSubmission (rear-naked choke)RFA 18December 9, 201422:38 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United StatesWon the RFA Flyweight Championship.
Win14–2Lincoln de Sá OliveiraDecision (unanimous)Shooto Brazil 45December 20, 201335:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win13–2Daniel AraújoSubmission (rear-naked choke)Watch Out Combat Show 31November 1, 201312:13 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilWOCS Flyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win12–2Rodrigo Favacho dos SantosSubmission (rear-naked choke)MMA Fight Show 1March 16, 201314:29 Arraial do Cabo, Brazil
Win11–2Lincoln de Sá OliveiraDecision (unanimous)Shooto Brazil 32July 14, 201235:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win10–2Sandro Gemaque de SouzaKO (punches)Fatality Arena Fight Night 1December 9, 201133:58 Niterói, Brazil
Win9–2Samuel de SouzaTKO (elbows and punches)World Fighting Combat 3December 22, 201011:23 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win8–2Bruno AzevedoSubmission (rear-naked choke)Shooto Brazil 18September 17, 20101N/A Brasília, Brazil
Loss7–2 Jussier Formiga Decision (unanimous)Shooto Brazil 16June 12, 201035:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win7–1Ralph AlvesDecision (split)Watch Out Combat Show 6December 12, 200935:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win6–1Magno AlvesKO (punch)Watch Out Combat Show 5September 27, 20091N/A Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win5–1Michael William CostaDecision (unanimous)Shooto Brazil 13August 27, 200935:00 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win4–1Bruno MorenoTKO (doctor stoppage)Shooto Brazil 12May 30, 200934:09 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win3–1Gabriel WolffTKO (doctor stoppage)Shooto Brazil 11March 28, 200925:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss2–1William ViannaDecision (split)Watch Out Combat Show 2September 25, 200835:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win2–0Peterson MalfortTKO (punches)Rocinha FightAugust 2, 20082N/A Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win1–0Antônio CarlosSubmission (armbar)Vila FightJuly 21, 20071N/A Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

[65]

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss2–1 Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions November 23, 201625:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 24 Semi Finals
Win2–0 Kai Kara-France Decision (unanimous)November 2, 201625:00 TUF 24 Quarter Finals
Win1–0 Brandon Moreno Submission (rear-naked choke)August 31, 201623:44 TUF 24 Round of 16

*Date given is the air date of the episode. The actual dates of the fight are not released by the UFC

Pay-per-view bouts

NoEventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1. UFC 301 Pantoja vs. ErcegMay 4, 2024 Farmasi Arena Rio de Janeiro, BrazilNot Disclosed [66]
2. UFC 310 Pantoja vs. AsakuraDecember 7, 2024 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesNot Disclosed [67]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Alexandre Pantoja MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  2. ↑ "Quem é Alexandre Pantoja, o novo brasileiro campeão do UFC". ESPN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-07-09.
  3. ↑ https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/12767-alexandre-pantoja
  4. ↑ MMAjunkie.com (May 29, 2023). Alexandre Pantoja Out for 'Complete Domination' of Flyweight Champ Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ "Rankings". Ultimate Fighting Championship . 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 26 November 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Joseph Benavidez e Henry Cejudo são escolhidos para servir como treinadores no 'The Ultimate Fighter 24'
  7. ↑ Luta 1: Archived 2016-10-10 at the Wayback Machine Alexandre Pantoja (Team Cejudo) vs Brandon Moreno (Team Benavidez)
  8. ↑ Recapitulação do episódio N° 1 do 'The Ultimate Fighter 24: Tournament of Champions'
  9. ↑ Analizando la pelea: Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja
  10. ↑ TUF 24: Moreno vs Pantoja Highlights
  11. ↑ "Episode No. 8 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 24: Tournament of Champions'". 3 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Episode No. 11 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 24: Tournament of Champions'". 24 November 2016.
  13. ↑ Mike Bohn (2016-11-29). "Eric Shelton says he's fighting fellow 'TUF 24' semifinalist Alexandre Pantoja at UFC on FOX 23". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  14. ↑ Matt Erickson (2017-01-28). "UFC on FOX 23 results: Alexandre Pantoja takes split from 'TUF 24' castmate Eric Shelton". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
  15. ↑ Peter Carroll (2017-05-10). "Neil Seery to meet Alexandre Pantoja at UFC Fight Night Glasgow". severemma.com. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  16. ↑ "Tapout! Pantoja Submits Seery With Rear-Naked Choke". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  17. ↑ DNA, MMA (13 November 2017). "Flyweightclash tussen Dustin Ortiz en Alexandre Pantoja voor UFC 220 in Boston". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
  18. ↑ "UFC 220 results: Dustin Ortiz rallies to take unanimous decision from Alexandre Pantoja". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-21. Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  19. ↑ "Alexandre Pantoja substitui Ray Borg em luta contra Brandon Moreno no UFC Santiago". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-04-29.
  20. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 129 results: Alexandre Pantoja outstrikes Brandon Moreno over three-round clinic". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  21. ↑ "Alexandre Pantoja enfrenta Ulka Sasaki no UFC Buenos Aires, 17 de novembro". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  22. ↑ "UFC Argentina results: Alexandre Pantoja too slick on floor for Ulka Sasaki, calls out Joseph Benavidez". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  23. ↑ Douglas Barcellos (2020-02-20). "Wilson Reis faces Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 236". nocautenarede.com.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  24. ↑ "UFC 236 results: Max Griffin takes home hard-fought decision in Zelim Imadaev grudge match". MMA Junkie. 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
  25. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2019-05-22). "Brazilian clash between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alexandre Pantoja in Edmonton" (in Dutch). mmadnanl.com. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  26. ↑ Fortune, Ryan (2019-07-27). "UFC 240 Results: Deiveson Figueiredo Defeats Alexandre Pantoja in Flyweight War". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  27. 1 2 Hiergesell, Dan (2019-07-28). "UFC 240 Bonuses! Neal's Vicious TKO Finish Leads $50K Winners". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  28. ↑ Shelton, Cole (2019-09-04). "Alexandre Pantoja vs. Matt Schnell set for UFC Fight Night 165 in South Korea". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  29. 1 2 admincsp (2019-12-21). "UFC Busan Results: Alexandre Pantoja Knocks Out Matt Schnell In First". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  30. ↑ Farah Hannaun (2019-12-21). "UFC Busan bonuses: Charles Jourdain moving out of his parents' basement". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  31. ↑ DNA, MMA (23 May 2020). "Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 voor vacante titel + Pantoja vs. Askarov, waarschijnlijk "Fight Island"" . Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  32. ↑ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-18). "UFC Fight Island 2 Results: Askar Askarov Gets Decision Win Over Alexandre Pantoja". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  33. ↑ Farah Hannoun (2020-11-03). "UFC books Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape for December 19 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  34. ↑ Steven Marrocco and Guilherme Cruz (2020-12-03). "Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape scratched from UFC Vegas 17". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  35. ↑ Alexander K. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, and Mike Heck (2020-12-26). "Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape rescheduled for Feb. 6 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 184 results: Alexandre Pantoja spoils debut of Manel Kape, earns unanimous decision nod". MMA Junkie. 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  37. ↑ DNA, MMA (2021-05-11). "Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 21 augustus". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  38. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-08-21). "UFC Vegas 34 Results: Alexandre Pantoja Subs Game Brandon Royval". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  39. 1 2 Hiergesell, Dan (2021-08-22). "UFC Vegas 34 Bonuses! Bahamondes Leads $50K Winners With Insane KO". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  40. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-09-23). "Knee surgery forced Alexandre Pantoja to turn down UFC title fight with Brandon Moreno". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  41. ↑ Alexander, Mookie (2022-06-09). "Alex Perez vs. Alexandre Pantoja set for UFC 277". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  42. ↑ Law, Eddie (2022-07-30). "UFC 277: Alexandre Pantoja Wastes No Time, Submits Perez With Neck Crank In The First". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  43. 1 2 Matt Erickson (2022-07-31). "UFC 277 bonuses: Brandon Moreno, Kai Kara-France among four $50,000 winners in Dallas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  44. ↑ "Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 for flyweight title headed to UFC 290 on July 8". MMA Junkie. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  45. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-07-09). "UFC 290: Alexandre Pantoja Defeats Brandon Moreno Once Again, Claims Flyweight Gold". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  46. 1 2 "UFC 290 bonuses: Only one of the sub-40-second stoppages got an extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  47. ↑ Martin, Damon (2023-09-20). "Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 set to headline UFC 296". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  48. ↑ "UFC 296 full results: Leon Edwards dominates Colby Covington; Alexandre Pantoja retains title". Yahoo Sports. 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  49. ↑ "Aussie's incredible four-fight rise to UFC title shot". wwos.nine.com.au. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  50. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-05-05). "UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja Survives Steve Erceg, Retains Flyweight Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  51. ↑ Nick Baldwin (2024-10-12). "Muhammad-Rakhmonov, Pantoja-Asakura set for UFC 310". thescore.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  52. ↑ Dan Hiergesell (2024-12-07). "Highlights! Alexandre Pantoja chokes out Kai Asakura to retain title, surprisingly calls out Demetrious Johnson - UFC 310". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  53. 1 2 Dan Hiergesell (2024-12-08). "Bonuses! Hooper, Luque bank $50K for impressive submission wins - UFC 310". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  54. ↑ "Report: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France Set For UFC 314 In Miami On April 12". 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
  55. ↑ Leo Guimarães (2025-02-24). "Alexandre Pantoja in talks to defend belt against former victim at UFC 316". superfight.net. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  56. ↑ Pishna, Ken (July 8, 2023). "Alexandre Pantoja edges Brando Moreno, claims flyweight title at UFC 290". MMAWeekly. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  57. ↑ UFC (December 7, 2024). "UFC Flyweight Division – Stats". UFC.com.
  58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "UFC Flyweight - Stats". ufc.com. December 7, 2024.
  59. ↑ UFC Staff (2024-01-14). "UFC Honors President's Choice Awards 2023". ufc.com. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  60. ↑ UFC Staff (2023-12-23). "The Fighters - 2023 UFC.com Awards". ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  61. ↑ UFC Staff (23 December 2023). "THE FIGHTS - THE 2023 UFC.COM AWARDS". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  62. ↑ "The Fighters | 2024 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2024-12-20. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  63. ↑ "The Submissions | 2024 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  64. ↑ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for July: The flyweights deliver again". mmajunkie.com. August 8, 2019.
  65. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Alexandre". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  66. ↑ "UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg | MMA Event". Tapology.
  67. ↑ "UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura | MMA Event". Tapology.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by 7th UFC Flyweight Champion
July 8, 2023 – present		Incumbent
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