Alexandre Pantoja made his dream come true at UFC 290 this previous weekend (July 8, 2023).
Brazil’s “Cannibal” entered his co-main occasion Flyweight title bout towards Brandon Moreno with two general wins (one skilled win, one exhibition on The Final Fighter 24) towards the now-former champion. As soon as once more entertaining blended martial arts (MMA) followers across the globe, Pantoja and Moreno placed on a “Battle of the 12 months” contender and have been awarded “Battle of the Evening” honors.
Pantoja, 33, gained the battle through a break up determination over Moreno, bumping his file to 26-5 and altering his life going ahead. Two years in the past, the champion remembers doing all he might to supply for his household regardless of his spot as a perennial prime 10 Flyweight.
“After the pandemic and after my struggle with Manel [Kape], I gave some cash — within the pandemic, my household [went] again to Brazil as a result of I can’t handle [them] anymore within the U.S. so I got here again to the U.S. alone,” Pantoja informed The MMA Hour. “It’s nonetheless like eight months with out my household and that’s very arduous for me. Typically I discuss with my spouse, I don’t know if I understand how I generally is a dad once more. Eight months alone with out my children, that’s very arduous for me. That’s about sacrifice for me.
“I gained the struggle with Manel [Kape], put all the cash in a down fee for that home, and produce my household again, that is extra essential to myself,” he continued. “When my household was again, the cash was quick and my spouse began to scrub homes and I began to drive Uber. I’d do that once more if I would like. It’s not nearly myself, that is about my household. That is about my children, my two boys.”
Pantoja’s unanimous determination win towards Kape kicked off his present four-fight profitable streak after tasting defeat to Askar Askarov in July 2019. Apart from delivering Uber Eats, Pantoja famous how he additionally competed in some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournaments between fights.
One week earlier than his struggle after Kape towards Brandon Royval, Pantoja was nonetheless doing Uber Eats work. Finally, he submitted Royval with a second spherical rear-naked choke, incomes a $50,000 “Efficiency of the Evening” bonus, and hasn’t appeared again since.
For full UFC 290: “Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez” outcomes and play-by-play, click on HERE.
