Alexandre
Pantoja knows exactly where his roots are planted.
“I’ve walked a long road,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’ve been fighting
as a pro since 2007. I’ve gone through various organizations. I
also went through ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ I matured on that road.
God put rocks in my way, so I could pile them up and build my
castle. Thankfully, I’ve always had great people by me who always
motivated me. When I was at my lowest, they helped me. I try to be
that person for others today.”
At 33 years of age, Pantoja now sits atop the 125-pound mountain.
He will defend the undisputed
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title for the first
time when he rematches
Brandon
Royval in the
UFC 296 co-main event this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las
Vegas. Pantoja submitted the
Factory
X rep with a second-round rear-naked choke in 2021, prior to
becoming champion.
“I’m very happy that Brandon managed to get his title challenge,”
he said. “I’ve faced him before. He fights aggressively and likes
to put on a show. He’s great for our flyweight division. He’s also
very skilled. I have to train hard for him and stay very
alert.”
Royval has rattled off three straight victories, two of them
finishes, since his first encounter with “The Cannibal.” He last
appeared at UFC on ESPN 44, where he felled
Matheus
Nicolau with a knee strike and follow-up elbows in a little
more than two minutes. Royval boasts 13 finishes among his 15
career victories. Pantoja has nothing but respect for his
counterpart.
“I’m happy to face someone who’s such a good fighter,” he said.
“I’m happy to get an opponent in his prime. He’s coming off two
beautiful bonus-worthy wins. I’m personally on a three-bonus
streak. Everything is there for us to have the best fight at UFC
296.”
Pantoja continues to train out of the star-studded
American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek, Florida, his base of
operation for nearly six years. Access to elite coaches and
world-class stablemates have made a difference.
“I’ve evolved significantly here, Pantoja said. “Many of the
trainers have been there for more than 10 or 15 years. I have great
training partners who always help me improve. Every training day we
give 100%.”
Pantoja enters his latest assignment on a four-fight winning
streak. He has not competed since he laid claim to the flyweight
crown with a split decision over
Brandon
Moreno at UFC 290 on July 8. Pantoja stays motivated by looking
to those closest to him.
“My wife has been by my side for nearly 11 years,” he said. “She’s
been a big help in my career. She’s the person I most want to
impress. We always wish to impress our loved ones. I wanted to
impress her so much that I became the world champion. The most
precious thing in the world is what you have at home. There’s no
need to look for things outside the home.
“Family is everything,” Pantoja continued. “Since I was a child, I
always wished to be rich. I see that God gave me greater riches
through my wife and our children. Regardless of what’s in my bank
account, I’m a very rich man because of them. We love each other
deeply. They’re my reason for living.”