This weekend the UFC will be hosting UFC 301. This card will be hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The main card will be on ESPN+ and TNT Sports following the prelims on ESPN 2 and TNT and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass and TNT Sports. Alexandre Pantoja headlines the card as he puts his flyweight title on the line against Steve Erceg
Alexander Pantoja Career Before the UFC
Alexandre Pantoja had a successful career before he even entered the UFC banner. This is due to Pantoja being able to clinch the RFA Flyweight title in 2014. Alexandre Pantoja was able to clinch this by submitting Matt Manzanares by a rear naked choke in the 2nd round. In the summer of 2015, Pantoja was able to clinch the inaugural AXS TV Flyweight Superfight champion. Alexandre Pantoja was able to become champion when he was able to submit the Legacy FC flyweight champion in the 2nd round due to a triangle choke.
This performance allowed him to participate in the Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions. That season many different titleholders faced off that season as they fought to be able to secure a UFC contract. Some of the fighters involved included former UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno as well as other UFC fighters Kai Kara-France, Tim Elliot and Matt Schnell. Pantoja however, wasn’t able to win the tournament as he was eliminated by Hiromasa Ougikubo who was able to get the decision victory. Even though Pantoja wasn’t able to clinch the tournament he impressed the UFC enough for them to sign him.
Pantoja’s UFC Career
Pantoja then went on to make his UFC debut in January 2017 when he was able to get a split decision victory against Eric Shelton. During his time in the UFC Alexandre Pantoja got off to a flying start. This is due to the Brazillian securing 5 victories in his first 6 outings. The only defeat he received was against Dustin Ortiz by unanimous decision. This allowed Pantoja to climb the rankings and got him to the number 3 ranked flyweight by mid-2019. However, the UFC then booked him against the number 4 ranked contender Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 240. Deiveson Figueiredo was able to get the victory by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Pantoja was then able to learn from this defeat and has since gone undefeated winning 5 fights in a row. This included being able to clinch the UFC flyweight title at UFC 290 by a split decision against Brandon Moreno. Since becoming the champion Alexandre Pantoja has defended his title against Brandon Royval in December 2023. Pantoja was able to get the victory by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46). Pantoja’s career record currently stands at 27-5 and has been able to clinch 5 UFC fight night bonuses.
Alexandre Pantoja Skillset
Alexandre Pantoja currently stands at 5-foot-5 and has a 67-inch reach. Panotja prefers to fight out of an orthodox stance and has a current average fight time of 12 minutes and 10 seconds. On average Pantoja lands 4.32 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy of 49% landing. While he has a high output he gives more than he receives with him absorbing 3.9 significant strikes per minute with a striking defence of 50%.
While Alexandre Pantoja has a very good well-rounded game his grappling isn’t to be messed around with either. This is due to Pantoja picking up 2.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and having a success rate of 48%. While being able to get the fight to the ground he can defend against the takedowns as he currently has a takedown defence percentage of 67%. Once Pantoja gets the fight onto the ground he prefers to take his time before trying for a submission. This is shown by Pantoja averaging one submission per 15 minutes.
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
