UFC: Alexandre Pantoja in profile

Everything you need to know about mixed martial artist, and UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja.

Alexandre Pantoja

Born:	16th April 1990
Age:	33
Birthplace:	Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Resides:	Coconut Creek, Florida, USA
Height:	5ft 5in
Reach:	68in
Style:	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Weight Division:	Flyweight
UFC Record:	10-3
MMA Record:	26-5
Next Fight:	Brandon Royval (Saturday, 16th December 2023)

Pantoja v Royval

Despite Pantoja agreeing he and Brandon Moreno should meet again in the cage, even though the Brazilian leads the head-to-head 3-0 (MMA and UFC), the flyweight champion revealed he wanted a fresh challenge first.

"Of course I want to fight Moreno again," he told the MMA Hour. "I think everybody wants to see that fight again.

"I didn't re-watch the fight, but everybody talked to me and said it’s one of the best flyweight [fights], one of the best title fights, but I think every division needs to [move].

"He and Deiveson held this for two or three years, [so let’s] have another guys in the division. I know everybody wants that fight with Moreno again, but let's go see what [UFC President] Dana White says. I think maybe put two guys to fight, and then after that fight with me."

Pantoja's fresh challenge has come in the form of Brandon Royval. These two fighters clashed for the first time at UFC on ESPN 29 in August 2021, with Pantoja claiming a submission win (rear-naked choke) in the second round.

Pantoja will be putting his flyweight title on the line at UFC 296 and the bout will be the penultimate match on the card, with Leon Edwards v Colby Covington the Main Event.

UFC debut in 2017

Having shown his prowess in MMA since his first fight in 2007, Pantoja made his UFC debut in 2017, earning a split decision win over Eric Shelton at UFC on FOX 23.

In what was a fantastic spectacle, Pantoja showed solid striking and submission skill throughout the three rounds, with two judges scoring it 29-28 in his favour.

Brazilian bounces back from defeats

Following on from his UFC debut, Pantoja defeated Wilson Reis by TKO before then suffering his first defeat, losing to Dustin Ortiz by unanimous decision.

Over the next nine bouts, he managed to pick up seven victories but also suffer a further two losses, going down via unanimous decision to both Deiveson Figueiredo and Askar Askarov.

Pantoja has bounced back since that defeat to Askarov, beating Royval and Alex Perez to set up a shot at flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.

First title in the bag

Pantoja faced off against Moreno for the flyweight title at UFC 290 in July 2023 and it proved to be a memorable night at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

The 33-year-old went the full five rounds against Moreno and clinched the belt via split decision.

The Brazilian's fight against Royval next will be his first title defence.

Alexandre Pantoja Net Worth…

Pantoja's net worth is reported to be around $1million.

How to watch Alexandre Pantoja…

Pantoja is contracted to the UFC and you can watch him in action on TNT Sports, which has exclusive rights to the promotion in the UK. Pantoja v Brandon Royval is scheduled to be shown live on the network.

Who is Alexandre Pantoja’s trainer?

Pantoja is part of the American Top Team club located in Coconut Creek, Florida and is trained by longtime head coach Marcos "Parrumpinha" da Matta.

The Brazilian says da Matta should be named "Coach of the Year" for 2023, although he failed to earn one of the five nominations for the coveted award.