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Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja, known by his nickname "The Cannibal," is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division of the (UFC), where he holds the UFC Flyweight Championship title as of November 2025. Born on April 16, 1990, in , , Pantoja stands at 5 feet 5 inches tall and fights at 125 pounds, with a professional MMA record of 30 wins, 5 losses, and 0 draws, including 8 knockouts, 12 submissions, and 10 first-round finishes. Pantoja began his professional career in 2007 and gained prominence after appearing on Season 24 in 2016 as part of Team Cejudo, though he was eliminated in the semifinals. He signed with the UFC in 2017 and quickly established himself as a top contender in the flyweight division, amassing a UFC record of 14-3 with notable victories over fighters like , Alex Perez, and . His aggressive style, particularly his proficiency in rear-naked chokes, has defined his success, leading to his first win via unanimous decision against at on July 8, 2023. Since capturing the championship, Pantoja has made four successful defenses, showcasing his dominance with submission victories over Kai Asakura at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024, and at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, both via rear-naked choke, as well as decisions against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on May 4, 2024, and at on December 16, 2023. Training primarily at in , Pantoja is recognized for his resilience and technical skill in both striking and , contributing to an eight-fight winning streak that solidified his status as one of the division's elite fighters.

Early years

Birth and family

Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo was born on April 16, 1990, in , . As the youngest of three children, Pantoja was raised primarily by his single mother, Ester Pantoja, in a modest marked by financial hardships and limited luxuries. His mother, whom he has described as a "warrior," supported him and his two older brothers through relentless effort, often working long hours to provide for the despite the absence of his biological father, who left when Pantoja was young. Pantoja has credited his mother's sacrifices with instilling in him a deep appreciation for perseverance and family unity from an early age.

Start in martial arts

Pantoja was raised primarily by his mother and stepfather after his biological father left the family early in his life. Pantoja moved with his family to Arraial do Cabo, a coastal town in Rio de Janeiro state, where he began structured training at the Luiz Alves Training Center under coach Petterson Melo. There, he displayed remarkable bravery and dedication from the outset, honing his skills in a supportive yet demanding environment. Later, due to a deteriorating relationship with his stepfather stemming from alcohol-related problems, he relocated to to live with his biological father, continuing his commitment to jiu-jitsu. Pantoja began training at age 12, blending it with his foundation for early exposure to concepts ahead of his professional debut at age 17. Pantoja ultimately achieved the rank of in , a testament to his technical proficiency and perseverance in the art that defined his early development.

Professional MMA career

Pre-UFC competitions

Alexandre Pantoja made his professional debut on July 21, 2007, at the age of 17, securing a first-round armbar submission victory over Antonio Carlos at a regional Brazilian event organized by Vila Fight. Over the ensuing years, he built his record primarily in Brazilian regional promotions, showcasing a grappling-heavy style that yielded numerous submission wins alongside developing knockout power. Pantoja's early career featured stints in Brazil, where he competed seven times between 2009 and 2013, compiling a 6-1 record in the promotion. Notable victories included a third-round (doctor stoppage) against Bruno Moreno at Brazil 12 in 2009 and a first-round rear-naked choke submission over Bruno Azevedo at Brazil 18 in 2010, highlighting his proficiency in ground control and chokes rooted in his background. He also fought in Watch Out Combat Show (WOCS), earning three wins, such as a first-round of Magno Alves in 2009, a over Ralph Alves later that year, and a first-round rear-naked choke over Daniel Araujo in 2013. These bouts contributed to a seven-fight win streak from 2010 to 2013, during which he secured five finishes, including and submissions against regional standouts like Samuel de Souza and Rodrigo Favacho dos Santos. His early setbacks included a loss to Willian Viana at WOCS 2 in 2008 and a unanimous decision defeat to at Brazil 16 in 2010, both of which tested his evolving striking defense against more experienced opponents. By 2014, Pantoja ventured internationally, capturing the Resurrection Fighting Alliance () Flyweight Championship with a second-round technical rear-naked choke submission against defending champion Matt Manzanares at RFA 18. He followed this with a successful non-title defense via second-round against former Bellator contender in 2015 at an RFA vs. Superfight event, extending his win streak and solidifying his status as a top regional flyweight. Entering 24 tournament in 2016 with a pre-tournament record of 16-2, Pantoja reached the final but suffered a loss to on December 3, 2016, at 24 Finale, marking his third professional defeat and concluding his pre-UFC phase with an overall mark of 16-3. Throughout his non-UFC career, Pantoja amassed six knockouts or TKOs and six submissions, demonstrating a balanced finishing rate against a variety of regional talents in promotions like Shooto Brazil and .

The Ultimate Fighter

Alexandre Pantoja was selected as the top seed for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 24: Tournament of Champions, which aired on Fox Sports 1 starting in August 2016, due to his undefeated streak in flyweight competition and overall professional record of 16-2 entering the show. He joined Team Cejudo, coached by Olympic gold medalist and UFC flyweight contender Henry Cejudo, in a tournament format pitting established champions against one another for a UFC contract. The opposing Team Benavidez was led by veteran flyweight Joseph Benavidez, creating a high-level coaching rivalry that emphasized grappling and wrestling techniques throughout the season. Pantoja's tournament began in the opening round against fellow Brazilian , a submission specialist from Team Benavidez, where he showcased his superior grappling control. After a competitive first round marked by exchanges on the feet, Pantoja secured a rear-naked choke in the second round at 3:44, advancing to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, he faced New Zealand's , known for his striking power, in a grueling two-round bout that tested his endurance and defensive wrestling. Pantoja won by (20-18 x3), relying on consistent takedowns and ground control to neutralize Kara-France's counters, though the fight highlighted the physical toll of the tournament format. Advancing to the semifinals as the last remaining member of Team Cejudo, Pantoja encountered Japan's Hiromasa Ogikubo, a seasoned wrestler from Team Benavidez, in a matchup billed as one of the season's most technical grapples. Despite Pantoja's aggressive attempts at submissions, including multiple rear-naked choke setups, Ogikubo's defensive prowess and top control prevailed, earning a victory (20-18 x3) after two rounds and eliminating Pantoja from final contention. Ogikubo then advanced to the final but lost to by unanimous decision, crowning Elliott the TUF 24 winner. During the training camp at the UFC Training Center in , Pantoja adapted to Cejudo's rigorous regimen, which focused on enhancing his already elite with Olympic-level wrestling drills to counter the tournament's diverse international field. Cejudo, drawing from his own flyweight experience, emphasized mental resilience and in the house environment, while occasional sessions with Team Benavidez under Benavidez provided strategic insights into opponents' styles. These experiences forged lasting bonds, with Pantoja crediting the camp for refining his pressure fighting approach. Despite falling short of the championship, Pantoja's dominant performances throughout the tournament earned him a UFC contract, marking his entry into the promotion's flyweight division and setting the stage for his professional career.

UFC debut and mid-card run

Pantoja earned his UFC contract through his performance on Season 24 in 2016, where he competed as part of Team Cejudo before being eliminated in the semifinals. He made his official debut on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox: vs. Pena, defeating Eric Shelton via split decision in a closely contested flyweight bout that showcased his pressure and cardio. This victory marked the beginning of his tenure in the promotion, establishing him as a durable and aggressive fighter in the competitive 125-pound division. Following his debut, Pantoja secured a submission win over Neil Seery on July 16, 2017, at , locking in a rear-naked choke in the third round after dominating on the ground. He then faced a setback on January 20, 2018, at , losing a to in a high-volume striking affair that highlighted areas for improvement in his stand-up game. Bouncing back quickly, Pantoja defeated via on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman, outwrestling the future champion over three rounds to demonstrate his elite jiu-jitsu credentials. In late 2018, Pantoja continued his ascent with a first-round rear-naked choke submission against Yuta Sasaki on November 17 at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio, finishing the fight in emphatic fashion and earning his first Performance of the Night bonus. He carried this momentum into 2019, knocking out in the first round with punches at : Holloway vs. Poirier 2 on April 13, further solidifying his finishing ability. However, on July 27, 2019, at , Pantoja dropped a unanimous decision to in a grueling clash marked by intense exchanges and Figueiredo's superior striking volume. Less than five months later, on December 21, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. , he rebounded with a stunning first-round knockout of via punch, once again capturing Performance of the Night honors. Pantoja's 2020 campaign was abbreviated by the but included a tough loss to on July 18 at UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2, a fight widely regarded as one of the year's best at flyweight due to its non-stop grappling war. Entering 2021, he notched a victory over on February 6 at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov, weathering early adversity to control the latter rounds with his wrestling. His mid-card run culminated on August 21, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum, where he submitted via rear-naked choke in the second round, positioning himself as a top contender. By the end of 2021, Pantoja had compiled an 8-3 record in the UFC, with a mix of seven decisions and three finishes that underscored his versatility and endurance. Notably, he was never finished in any of his UFC bouts during this period, absorbing punishment across 11 fights without a stoppage loss and building a reputation for resilience in the flyweight division's deep talent pool.

Title pursuit and victory

Following a period of inconsistency in the flyweight division, Alexandre Pantoja began his resurgence with a dominant performance against Alex Perez at on July 30, 2022. Pantoja secured a first-round submission victory via neck crank at 1:31, showcasing his elite grappling skills and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. This win improved his UFC record to 9-3 and solidified his position as a top contender, as he controlled the fight with superior wrestling and ground control from the opening moments. Building on momentum from his earlier 2021 submission win over , Pantoja's victory over Perez highlighted his persistence after previous mid-card setbacks, positioning him for a long-awaited title opportunity. Entering with an overall professional record of 25-5, Pantoja's consistent pressure and finishing ability had caught the attention of matchmakers, leading to a championship bout against reigning UFC Flyweight Champion . This matchup was particularly significant, as Pantoja had previously faced Moreno in a 2016 exhibition on and a 2018 preliminary card loss, adding a layer of rivalry to the stakes. On July 8, 2023, at in , Pantoja captured the UFC Flyweight Championship in a closely contested five-round war against Moreno, winning by (48-47, 48-47, 47-48). Pantoja outstruck Moreno 142-113 in significant strikes and attempted eight takedowns, landing four, to edge out the victory in a fight praised for its intensity and back-and-forth action. This triumph marked Pantoja's first world title and ended Moreno's second reign, fulfilling years of pursuit in the division.

Championship defenses

Pantoja's reign as UFC flyweight champion began with his title-winning submission victory over at in July 2023. His first defense came on December 16, 2023, at against , where Pantoja relied on his grappling prowess to control the fight on the ground, securing a victory (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) after five rounds of sustained pressure. This performance extended his win streak and showcased his ability to neutralize Royval's explosive striking with takedowns and top control. In his second defense on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301 in , Pantoja faced undefeated contender Steve Erceg in a closely contested bout marked by Erceg's sharp striking and submission attempts. Pantoja weathered early adversity, including being rocked by punches, before imposing his wrestling to dominate later rounds, earning another (48-47, 48-47, 49-46). The victory highlighted Pantoja's resilience and cardio, as he outgrappled Erceg to retain the belt in front of his home crowd. Pantoja's third defense occurred on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310 against former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura, who was making his UFC debut at flyweight. Pantoja quickly closed the distance, securing takedowns and transitioning to the back, where he locked in a rear-naked choke for the submission win at 2:05 of the second round. This finish demonstrated Pantoja's opportunistic submission game against a highly touted , solidifying his dominance in the division. On June 28, 2025, at UFC 317, Pantoja defended his title for the fourth time against , a rematch from their 2022 encounter. Pantoja overwhelmed Kara-France with relentless , taking the fight to the mat repeatedly before securing a rear-naked choke submission at 1:55 of the third round. The performance underscored Pantoja's evolution into a submission specialist during his championship run, as two of his last three defenses ended in chokes. As of November 2025, Pantoja has completed four successful title defenses, maintaining an overall professional record of 30-5. His next challenge is scheduled for December 6, 2025, at UFC 323 in , where he will face rising contender Joshua Van in a bid for his fifth defense.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Alexandre Pantoja is married to Gabryella Pantoja, who maintains a private life despite her husband's prominence in . He is the father of two sons: Cauã Pantoja, born on February 11, 2011, and Nicolas Pantoja, born on March 26, 2014. Pantoja and his family have resided in , since he joined in 2018, where daily life revolves around training while balancing family responsibilities that ground him amid his demanding career. His wife and sons form a core support system, with Pantoja frequently crediting them for his motivation; the gym has integrated into this network as an extended family, offering camaraderie and assistance during his preparation for fights. In post-fight interviews, Pantoja has emotionally referenced his family's role in his journey, such as after winning the UFC flyweight title at UFC 290.

Overcoming personal challenges

Pantoja endured significant emotional hardship from his father's abandonment during childhood in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, as his alcoholic father frequently fought with his mother before leaving the family to pursue a life with a wealthier woman. Raised by a single mother alongside his two brothers, Pantoja has spoken of the lasting impact, expressing a deep yearning for paternal love and approval that surfaced in his tearful UFC 290 post-fight interview after claiming the flyweight title, where he asked, "Dad, you proud of me, dad? You proud of me?" Financial struggles persisted into his UFC career, compelling Pantoja to work as an delivery driver in during the in early 2021 to cover bills, even as he climbed the flyweight rankings. Due to severe money shortages, he sent his wife and children back to for eight months, remaining alone while his wife took up house cleaning jobs, and he delivered food in the rain just days before his August 21, 2021, bout with . He ceased the side job only after earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for submitting Royval at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Gastelum, which provided financial relief and enabled him to reunite his family in the United States. To elevate his training, Pantoja relocated from to in pursuit of better opportunities, joining the in Coconut Creek around 2018 and making sacrifices such as initial separation from his family to focus on professional development. This move, combined with the financial and emotional trials, underscored his commitment, as he later used earnings from fights like the Royval victory to permanently bring his family to the U.S. and purchase a home near the gym. These challenges forged Pantoja's mental fortitude, fueling a winning streak that carried him through his title victory over and subsequent defenses as of November 2025, contributing to his unblemished record of never being finished across 30 professional bouts. In reflecting on his journey, Pantoja has credited these adversities with building the resilience necessary for sustained success in the UFC. Today, he draws strength from the stable support of his family, now settled in .

Fighting style

Grappling dominance

Alexandre Pantoja holds a in , a rank he achieved through dedicated training in Brazil's competitive scene before transitioning to MMA. His early development occurred at Black House in , where he honed his ground skills under coaches emphasizing technique and pressure, before joining in 2018, a camp renowned for integrating elite BJJ with MMA applications. This lineage has shaped Pantoja into a submission specialist, with his promotion reflecting years of competition in both pure and contexts. Pantoja's submission arsenal features 12 career victories by this method, predominantly rear-naked chokes, which account for nine of those finishes, alongside triangles, armbars, and neck cranks. In the UFC, he has secured six submission wins, showcasing his proficiency in transitioning from top control to locks, as seen in his rear-naked choke against in the second round at UFC 310. Similarly, he applied the same technique to submit in the third round at UFC 317, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on back exposure during prolonged exchanges. These finishes highlight his opportunistic style, often chaining attempts like armbars into chokes when initial setups falter. Pantoja integrates wrestling fundamentals to establish dominant ground positions, averaging 2.80 takedowns per with a 47% success rate in UFC competition. This proficiency allows him to dictate the fight's location, blending chain wrestling entries with BJJ transitions to maintain top pressure and hunt submissions, contributing to his high flyweight submission rate of 1.0 attempts per . His approach emphasizes control time over explosive throws, enabling seamless passes and mounts that set up his signature chokes. In the UFC flyweight division, Pantoja holds the record for the most submission wins with six, surpassing previous benchmarks set by fighters like and underscoring his status as the division's premier grappler. This achievement reflects not only his technical edge but also his consistency in finishing high-level opponents via submission, cementing his as a cornerstone of flyweight excellence.

Striking development

Pantoja began his combat sports journey with a strong foundation in , training rigorously from his early teens and achieving national and state championships in . This background contributed to eight or victories in his professional MMA career, showcasing his ability to deliver powerful strikes, including knees and kicks characteristic of the art. In the UFC, Pantoja has evolved his striking into a more precise tool, maintaining a career significant striking accuracy of 50 percent, which has been pivotal in his decision wins over top contenders. For instance, in his victory over at in December 2023, he landed 95 significant strikes while effectively pressuring his opponent. Similarly, against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 in May 2024, Pantoja connected on 125 of 242 significant strikes at 51 percent accuracy, using volume to control the stand-up exchanges en route to another . Pantoja integrates his striking through pressure fighting, employing combinations and clinch work to wear down opponents and create openings for transitions. This approach, blending crisp punches with clinch knees, allows him to dictate pace and seamlessly set up takedowns, as demonstrated in his clinch-to-takedown sequences against Erceg. Following consecutive losses in 2021 to and , Pantoja refined his stand-up game, shifting from purely aggressive exchanges to a more calculated style that emphasizes timing and efficiency. These adaptations have been key to his successful title defenses, where improved striking complements his dominance without over-relying on it.

Achievements

Major championships

Prior to his UFC tenure, Pantoja captured regional titles in prominent Brazilian promotions. He won the Shooto Brazil Flyweight Championship in 2013 and successfully defended it later that year against Lincoln de Sa via unanimous decision at Shooto Brazil 45 on December 20, 2013. Additionally, he secured the LFA Flyweight Championship in the United States in 2017. Pantoja's most significant achievement came in the UFC, where he won the Flyweight Championship by defeating via split decision in their trilogy bout at on July 8, 2023. This victory marked the culmination of his persistent pursuit of the title after previous losses to Moreno in 2018 and 2021. Pantoja has since made four successful defenses of the UFC Flyweight Championship. His first defense was a victory over at on December 16, 2023. He followed with a win against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on May 4, 2024. The third defense came via second-round submission (rear-naked choke) over Kai Asakura at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024. His fourth defense was a third-round submission (rear-naked choke) victory against at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. As of November 2025, Pantoja's reign has surpassed two years, with a fifth defense scheduled against Joshua Van at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025.

Divisional records and milestones

Alexandre Pantoja holds several UFC flyweight division records, including the most wins with 14, the most finishes with 8, and the most submission victories with 6. These achievements surpass those of former champion , establishing Pantoja as the division's all-time leader in these categories following his title retention victory in June 2025. Throughout his career, Pantoja maintains a record of 30 wins against 5 losses, highlighted by an ongoing eight-fight that includes four successful title defenses. Remarkably, he has never been finished in any of his 35 professional bouts, with all defeats coming by decision, underscoring his exceptional durability and resilience in the sport. As of November 11, 2025, Pantoja ranks No. 5 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings, reflecting his sustained dominance and impact across the flyweight landscape. Pantoja has earned six post-fight bonuses in the UFC, comprising four Performance of the Night awards and two Fight of the Night honors, recognizing his consistently thrilling and decisive performances in the .

Career statistics

Professional fight record

Alexandre Pantoja maintains a professional record of 30 wins and 5 losses across 35 bouts, with victories comprising 8 knockouts or technical knockouts (27%), 12 submissions (40%), and 10 decisions (33%). All five of his losses have come via decision, underscoring his exceptional durability as he has never been finished by strikes or submission in his career. Pantoja is currently riding an eight-fight that began in February 2021. Prior to joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pantoja amassed a 16-2 record in regional promotions and other organizations from 2007 to 2015. Within the UFC, he has competed in 17 fights since his debut in 2017, achieving a 14-3 mark that includes title-winning performances such as the main event victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290. The table below provides a complete chronological listing of Pantoja's professional fights, including dates, opponents, results, methods, rounds, times, and events.
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTimeEvent
Jul 21, 2007Antonio CarlosWinSubmission (Armbar)10:00VF - Vila Fight
Aug 02, 2008Peterson MaffortWinTKO (Punches)20:00RF - Rocinha Fight
Sep 25, 2008Willian VianaLossDecision (Split)35:00WOCS - Watch Out Combat Show 2
Mar 28, 2009Gabriel WolffWinTKO (Doctor Stoppage)25:00Shooto Brazil 11 - Miranda vs. Matos
May 30, 2009Bruno MorenoWinTKO (Doctor Stoppage)34:09Shooto Brazil 12 - Ramos vs. Fernandes
Aug 27, 2009Michael William CostaWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00Shooto Brazil 13 - Bahadurzada vs. Batata
Sep 27, 2009Magno AlvesWinKO (Punches)10:00WOCS - Watch Out Combat Show 5
Dec 12, 2009Ralph AlvesWinDecision (Split)35:00WOCS - Watch Out Combat Show 6
Jun 12, 2010Jussier FormigaLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00Shooto Brazil 16 - Formiga vs. Pantoja
Sep 17, 2010Bruno AzevedoWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)10:00Shooto Brazil 18 - Inocente vs. Moia
Dec 22, 2010Samuel de SouzaWinTKO (Elbows and Punches)11:23WFC 3 - Pantoja Vs Souza
Dec 09, 2011Sandro Gemaque de SouzaWinKO (Punches)33:58FA - Fatality Arena Fight Night 1
Jul 14, 2012Lincoln de Sa OliveiraWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00Shooto Brazil 32 - Olivieri vs. Ferro
Mar 16, 2013Rodrigo Favacho dos SantosWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)14:29MMA Fight Show - Summer Edition
Nov 01, 2013Daniel AraujoWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)12:13WOCS 31 - Watch Out Combat Show 31
Dec 20, 2013Lincoln de Sa OliveiraWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00Shooto Brazil 45 - Sa vs. Pantoja
Sep 12, 2014Matt ManzanaresWinTechnical Submission (RNC)22:38RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja
May 08, 2015Damacio PageWinTechnical Submission (Triangle)25:00AXS TV Fights - RFA vs. Legacy Superfight
Jan 28, 2017Eric SheltonWinDecision (Split)35:00UFC on Fox 23 - Shevchenko vs. Pena
Jul 16, 2017Neil SeeryWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)32:31UFC Fight Night 113 - Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio
Jan 20, 2018Dustin OrtizLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC 220 - Miocic vs. Ngannou
May 19, 2018Brandon MorenoWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 129 - Maia vs. Usman
Nov 17, 2018Yuta SasakiWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)12:18UFC Fight Night 140 - Magny vs. Ponzinibbio
Apr 13, 2019Wilson ReisWinTKO (Punches)12:58UFC 236 - Holloway vs. Poirier 2
Jul 27, 2019Deiveson FigueiredoLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC 240 - Holloway vs. Edgar
Dec 21, 2019Matt SchnellWinKO (Punches)14:17UFC Fight Night 165 - Edgar vs. Korean Zombie
Jul 18, 2020Askar AskarovLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 172 - Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2
Feb 06, 2021Manel KapeWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 184 - Overeem vs. Volkov
Aug 21, 2021Brandon RoyvalWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)21:46UFC on ESPN 29 - Cannonier vs. Gastelum
Jul 30, 2022Alex PerezWinSubmission (Neck Crank)11:31UFC 277 - Pena vs. Nunes 2
Jul 08, 2023Brandon MorenoWinDecision (Split)55:00UFC 290 - Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez
Dec 16, 2023Brandon RoyvalWinDecision (Unanimous)55:00UFC 296 - Edwards vs. Covington
May 04, 2024Steve ErcegWinDecision (Unanimous)55:00UFC 301 - Pantoja vs. Erceg
Dec 07, 2024Kai AsakuraWinTechnical Submission (RNC)22:05UFC 310 - Pantoja vs. Asakura
Jun 28, 2025Kai Kara-FranceWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)31:55UFC 317 - Topuria vs. Oliveira

Pay-per-view events

Alexandre Pantoja has appeared on five UFC pay-per-view events since capturing the flyweight championship in 2023, all during his title reign. Pantoja first headlined a PPV in the main event of on July 8, 2023, at in , where he defeated via split decision to win the vacant UFC Flyweight Championship. The event drew 19,204 attendees and generated a live gate of $9,750,000, marking one of the promotion's strongest International Fight Week showings. His inaugural title defense came as the co-main event of on December 16, 2023, also at , against , whom he beat by unanimous decision. The card attracted 19,039 fans and a gate of $9,300,000, bolstered by the pre-fight drama that reportedly increased PPV interest. Pantoja returned to the main event spotlight at UFC 301 on May 4, 2024, in , , defending his title against Steve Erceg via unanimous decision in a bout that highlighted his growing international draw. The event saw 14,514 in attendance at Farmasi Arena, though the gate figure was not publicly disclosed. On December 7, 2024, at UFC 310 in , Pantoja submitted Asakura in the third round to secure his third defense in the main event, solidifying his status as a PPV headliner. Attendance reached 18,648, with a gate of $5,011,650. Pantoja's fourth defense occurred in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, at during International Fight Week, where he submitted in the third round. The event set a high mark with 19,800 attendees and a gate of $11,320,291, reflecting the promotional push for dual title fights. Pantoja is scheduled to make his sixth PPV appearance at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, at , defending against Joshua Van in the co-main event to Merab Dvalishvili vs. 2. This matchup follows Van's recent unanimous decision victory over Royval, positioning it as a pivotal test for Pantoja's reign.

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