Alexandre Pantoja: ‘My Christmas Wish Is To Have A Fight In Brazil’
With one more title defense, Alexandre Pantoja will become the second-most successful flyweight champion in UFC history.
Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Outside of the great Demetrious Johnson, who defended the belt 11 times, no one else in the division has had a title reign with at least two defenses. Pantoja took the first step toward that goal on Saturday, defeating Brandon Royval in the co-main event of UFC 296.
“Brandon Royval has all my respect,” said Pantoja. “Royval showed me his heart. I wanted to finish him, but he was still coming at me. This was a war for five rounds.
“He was ready to take my belt. But God has blessed me, and I am still champion.”
Pantoja (27-5) won by unanimous decision, controlling four of the five rounds. It marked his second victory against Royval (15-7), who he also beat by submission two years ago.
The fight at 296 was the opposite of their last fight, when Royval employed a far more reckless approach–which accounted for why he was caught in a rear naked choke in the second after a very competitive first round. This time, he was overly cautious for the first 20 minutes before unloading an explosion of strikes in the fifth.
Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Royval stayed too disciplined–stepping away from his frenetic style–and did not come alive until the fifth round. With eight takedowns, Pantoja was able to repeatedly force Royval down to the ground throughout the fight and control him.
“I knew he felt my hands in the first and second rounds, and I knew I could use my grappling,” said Pantoja. “Like a champ, my goal was to win every round.
“I was tired in the last round, but that’s the way I train. I’m still climbing this mountain. I have more skills to show with my striking.”
Courtesy Zuffa LLC
Pantoja’s next goal is to headline a card in Brazil. A native of Rio de Janeiro, he has not fought in his home country since 2013.
“That's exactly what I want, my first UFC fight in Brazil,” said Pantoja. “I hope Dana White can do that. I want to defend my belt in Brazil. My Christmas wish is to have a fight in Brazil.”
