Tag: Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja explains post fight comments about his father at UFC 290: ‘I just want the love of my dad’

alexandre pantojaNewly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father. In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking […]

alexandre pantoja

Newly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father.

In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking to Joe Rogan in the Octagon ‘The Cannibal’ revealed that he grew up without a dad, and looking into the camera asked ‘now Dad, are you proud of me Dad?.

The moment would make the rounds around the MMA world, tugging at many peoples heartstrings in what was an extremely vulnerable moment for someone who just engaged in back-and-forth war.

Alexandre Pantoja describes relationship with father

Appearing on The MMA Hour, Pantoja was asked about his post-fight comments, and would share some saddening background.  

My dad drank a lot, I saw a lot of fights with him and my mom,” said Pantoja.

“When my dad drinks too much he’s aggressive, I don’t remember having good times with my dad, you know… But I don’t want to crucify my daddy,” Pantoja continued. “I know he loves me and my brothers and I’m old now he gave the bets he could do, its not close to what I give my kids but he does the best he can. I’m not going to judge him. He left the house, he never helped my mom with me or my brothers, he never gave her money.”

Pantoja would explain that even after all he had been through, he still though about reaching out to his father during his moment of need.

“I just want the love of my dad,” Pantoja said. “I want to feel him and the week of the fight I thought about calling my daddy to try and take all over the scared [feelings].

“When the fight was over, I was thinking about him, I was thinking about all his moments he can’t enjoy with me, he can’t enjoy with his grandkids.”

After his phenomenal performance and honest following, the 33-year-old has undoubtedly gained a load of new fans.

Full clip of Alexandre Pantoja

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Alexandre Pantoja outlasts Brandon Moreno in instant classic to capture flyweight title – UFC 290 Highlights

Brandon MorenoAlexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship. Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and […]

Brandon Moreno

Alexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship.

Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and recentering. Unfortunately, that would turn out to be a big mistake as Pantoja landed a big left hand that dropped Moreno. Pantoja jumped on the champ and unleashed a flurry of ground strikes, including a nasty elbow that busted Moreno open early.

Determined to get some respect back, Brandon Moreno came out and worked his jab while Pantoja continued to load up looking for the one-hitter-quitter. As a result, Pantoja began to tire, allowing Moreno to drive him to the ground and take his back mere minutes into the second round. Pantoja managed to get back to his feet but already appeared to be breathing heavily as Moreno continued to counter-strike through the end of the round.

With the bout likely tied 19-19, both men gave everything they had in the next two rounds, seamlessly switching from stand-up to ground fighting. Pantoja appeared to take the lead going into the fifth round, but there was simply no way to know for certain considering how close and competitive the fight was up to that point.

Going into the fifth and final round, Brandon Moreno was undoubtedly the fresher fighter, but Pantoja had absolutely no quit in him. With the flyweight world championship hanging in the balance, both fighters opted to stand and trade throughout the final five minutes, a decision that favored Moreno who appeared to be one step ahead in the striking.

Recognizing that Moreno was getting the best of him on the feet, Pantoja switched levels and scored a takedown, taking Moreno’s back in the process. With 90 seconds to go, Pantoja rode Moreno like a backpack and peppered the champ with strikes. Unable to break the body triangle, Moreno opted to wait out the final seconds, hoping he had done enough to come out ahead on the scorecards.

Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC flyweight world championship.

Check Out Highlights from Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 Below:

Brandon Moreno betting favorite to avenge losses to Alexandre Pantoja, retain title at UFC 290

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back […]

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290

Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back in January of this year on enemy territory – successfully reclaiming his status as undisputed flyweight champion with a title unification win against Deiveson Figueiredo in Rio de Janeiro. 

As for Pantoja, the Brazilian title challenger has enjoyed a winning run spanning the course of three fights en route to the #2 rank in the official flyweight rankings under the banner of the UFC.

Last time out, the Rio de Janeiro native featured at UFC 277 in July of last year, submitting former title challenger, Alex Perez with a first round rear-naked choke submission win.

And holding an Ultimate Fighter exhibition win over Brandon Moreno, as well as a UFC triumph against the Baja Californian – Pantoja still, however, is closing as a sizeable +145 underdog to defeat the -170 betting favorite, Moreno at UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week. 

Betting websites not on gamstop also offer wagering and betting on fights under the UFC banners as well as a host of other combat sports and sports worldwide. 

Setting up an unprecedented fourth title fight with Figueiredo back in January of this year, Brandon Moreno also featured on that aforenoted UFC 277 card last summer akin to Pantoja – himself winning an interim flyweight title with a brutal body kick and strikes KO win over recent headliner, Kai Kara-France. 

First winning undisputed flyweight gold in 2021, Moreno became the first champion hailing from Mexico under the UFC banner, submitting Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke in Glendale, Arizona to a massive crowd reaction. 

However, ahead of his third combat sports outing with Pantoja next month, Brandon Moreno enters his first attempted title defense of his second undisputed reign with the prior knowledge of two prior defeats to the Brazilian.

First sharing the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter 24 back in 2016, Brandon Moreno was submitted with a second round rear-naked choke by Pantoja on the reality television show.

Rekindling their rivalry at UFC Fight Night Santiago in Chile back in May 2019, Brandon Moreno again found himself on the wrong side of the winning equation against the former, dropping a unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian challenger. 

Himself suffering losses to common-foes, Figueiredo, and Askar Askarov during his UFC tenure – as well as Dustin Ortiz, in between those losses, Pantoja has racked up wins over a who’s who of talent including the likes of Kara-France, Brandon Royval, Manel Kape, Matt Schnell, Neil Seery, and former title challenger, Wilson Reis. 

A renowned finisher boasting an impressive 25-5 professional record, Pantoja has secured a resounding 10 separate submission triumphs, as well as eight separate knockouts over the course of his professional mixed martial arts career. Pantoja was eliminated from TUF 24 at the semi-final bracket, losing out to Japanese favorite, Hiromasa Ougikubo in a decision defeat. 

Report – Brandon Moreno returns in championship rematch against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 in July

Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja UFC 290 flyweight title rematch JulyUndisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno will look to avenge a May 2018 decision loss to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 – as the two lock horns in a championship rematch. The pay-per-view event is slated to take place on July 8. during International Fight Week at the T-Mobile Arena. Co-headlining UFC 283 earlier […]

Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja UFC 290 flyweight title rematch July

Undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno will look to avenge a May 2018 decision loss to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 – as the two lock horns in a championship rematch. The pay-per-view event is slated to take place on July 8. during International Fight Week at the T-Mobile Arena.

Co-headlining UFC 283 earlier this year in Rio de Janeiro, Moreno managed to bookend his four-fight series with former undisputed champion, Deiveson Figueiredo – landing a third round doctor’s stoppage TKO victory.

Brandon Moreno meets Alexandre Pantoja for the fourth time in combat sports

For Pantoja, the current #2 ranked flyweight contender has enjoyed a three-fight winning run since 2020, most recently handing Alex Perez a neck crank submission loss at UFC 277 in July of last year in the pair’s championship-eliminator. News of Brandon Moreno’s title rematch against Pantoja was first reported by Freak.MMA on Instagram, with ESPN MMA corroborating the report.

“A flyweight title fight between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja is set for UFC 290 on July 8. in Las Vegas, UFC Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell confirmed to Marc Raimondi. 

First meeting at UFC Fight Night Santiago back in 2018, Pantoja managed to hand Moreno his second consecutive loss under the promotion’s banner with a unanimous decision victory at the Chile event.

The duo initially featured on The Ultimate Fighter 24 back in 2016, with Pantoja once more prevailing with a rear-naked choke submission win in the pair’s Round of 16 exhibition bout.

Prior to his successful title unification win against Figueiredo at the beginning of the year, Moreno struck interim flyweight gold with another rematch win over Kai Kara-France – stopping the New Zealander with a third round body kick at the above-mentioned, UFC 277 event.

A featherweight championship unification bout between champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and interim gold holder, Yair Rodriguez is also expected to feature on the International Fight Week card. 

Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion

When Demetrious Johnson was the UFC flyweight champion, the division suffered to some degree because of how dominant he was. No one could knock “Mighty Mouse” off the top spot and that gave his fights a feeling of predictability, because he was levels above all challengers. After he left the UFC following his loss to […]

Continue Reading Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion at MMA News.

When Demetrious Johnson was the UFC flyweight champion, the division suffered to some degree because of how dominant he was.

No one could knock “Mighty Mouse” off the top spot and that gave his fights a feeling of predictability, because he was levels above all challengers.

After he left the UFC following his loss to Henry Cejudo, the division became a lot more competitive and after title reigns from Cejudo, Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, a new champion has started to make his mark at 125 pounds.

Alexandre Pantoja has produced back-to-back title defenses since becoming champion at UFC 290 last year and the flyweight GOAT believes that the Brazilian is here to stay.

Demetrious Johnson Says Alexandre Pantoja Was Underappreciated, Doesn’t See Him Losing The Title Soon

In a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Johnson gave his thoughts on the man that currently holds the title that once belonged to him.

The current flyweight king in ONE Championship is a big fan of Pantoja and said that he has been for a long time, after feeling like he was underappreciated for many years.

“I think he’s great. Alex Pantoja, I’ve always felt he’s been a dark horse at the beginning of his career in the UFC… I just felt, well to begin with, I feel like the flyweight division always had a hard time picking up any traction. This isn’t something new, I mean even when I was a champion in the UFC, it wasn’t the most popular in the whole roster of the UFC and I think Alex Pantoja, he came into The Ultimate Fighter, he didn’t win The Ultimate Fighter, Tim Elliott ended up winning it.”

As he stated, Pantoja made his way into the promotion through The Ultimate Fighter where if he had won the series, he would’ve challenged Johnson for the title.

Johnson then went on to say how in his opinion, there aren’t many contenders left for Pantoja that aren’t rematches because he beat many of them on his way to the title already.

The one exception being Muhammad Mokaev, who is no longer in the UFC after the promotion chose not to resign him at the end of July.

Due to this reason, “Mighty Mouse” doesn’t see Pantoja losing his grasp at 125 pounds anytime soon.

“It’s his [Pantoja’s] division and I think it’s his time to shine. He’s worked very hard his whole entire career and I’m very happy for him.”

Read also: Brandon Moreno Set To Return In UFC Fight Night Edmonton Main Event On Nov. 2

Continue Reading Demetrious Johnson Gives Stamp Of Approval To UFC Champion at MMA News.

Report: Brandon Moreno wants to fight Alexandre Pantoja in June

Brandon Moreno, Alexandre PantojaBrandon Moreno has his eyes set for a title defense against Alexandre Pantoja in June. The two-time UFC champion did reveal that he is interested in the matchup pending a knee MRI, according to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports.  The Tijuana native recaptured the UFC flyweight title from long-time rival Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 […]

Brandon Moreno, Alexandre Pantoja

Brandon Moreno has his eyes set for a title defense against Alexandre Pantoja in June. The two-time UFC champion did reveal that he is interested in the matchup pending a knee MRI, according to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports. 

The Tijuana native recaptured the UFC flyweight title from long-time rival Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Moreno was able to end their four-fight series by third-round TKO.

Brandon Moreno is Familiar With Alexandre Pantoja

‘The Assassin Baby’ is now interested in fighting another former opponent in Pantoja. The two 125-pounders have met twice. Their first meeting was an exhibition bout during the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) in 2016 and then two years later at UFC Fight Night 129. 

After his win at UFC 283, Moreno had a backstage interaction with Pantoja. During the post-fight press conference, Moreno said his past opponent “was very friendly” at first but quickly became “a little bit aggressive”. Moreno expressed interest in fighting his former opponent but still has to have an MRI on his knee that he injured during fight camp. 

Pantoja is officially 1-0 over the current flyweight champion. He has a unanimous decision win over Moreno in 2018. He also submitted Moreno with a rear-naked choke on TUF but exhibition wins don’t count towards official records.