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Cruises in first title defense
Pantoja successfully defended his UFC Flyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Pantoja was in firm control from start to finish in his first title defense. He leaned on his wrestling in a second-round submission win over Royval when the two fought back in August 2021 and successfully went back to the well here. He landed at least one takedown in every round and kept his opponent plastered to the mat for long stretches at a time the entire fight. Pantoja was more active offensively at certain times than others while in a dominant position, but all the takedowns served to limit Royval's ability to generate any offense whatsoever. Pantoja is one of those rare fighters that looks exhausted at times, but still manages to push through. The Brazilian's next challenger has yet to be determined. Brandon Moreno is clearly the best option, but Pantoja has dominated that rivalry thus far. We may be looking at a rising youngster such as Amir Albazi or Muhammad Mokaev getting the next shot.
Pantoja was in firm control from start to finish in his first title defense. He leaned on his wrestling in a second-round submission win over Royval when the two fought back in August 2021 and successfully went back to the well here. He landed at least one takedown in every round and kept his opponent plastered to the mat for long stretches at a time the entire fight. Pantoja was more active offensively at certain times than others while in a dominant position, but all the takedowns served to limit Royval's ability to generate any offense whatsoever. Pantoja is one of those rare fighters that looks exhausted at times, but still manages to push through. The Brazilian's next challenger has yet to be determined. Brandon Moreno is clearly the best option, but Pantoja has dominated that rivalry thus far. We may be looking at a rising youngster such as Amir Albazi or Muhammad Mokaev getting the next shot.
Defending title against Royval
Pantoja will fight Brandon Royval during UFC 296, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Pantoja recently claimed the UFC Flyweight title after defeating Brandon Moreno in July, but he'll immediately be up for a title defense against Royval later this year. Though Pantoja defeated Royval in their last bout, Royval upset Matheus Nicolau in his last match.
Pantoja recently claimed the UFC Flyweight title after defeating Brandon Moreno in July, but he'll immediately be up for a title defense against Royval later this year. Though Pantoja defeated Royval in their last bout, Royval upset Matheus Nicolau in his last match.
New UFC Flyweight Champion
Pantoja became the new UFC Flyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-48) at UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It could be quite a long time before you come across a bloody, back-and-forth matchup that can come remotely close to matching this brawl. Moreno got out of the blocks quickly, as one would expect. Yet, over the course of the final 20 minutes, it was Pantoja who found himself able to pull away some. That's not to say Moreno didn't have his moments, but Pantoja landed six takedowns over the course for the final three rounds. Sometimes that's all it takes in a close fight. The 49-46 Moreno scorecard was horrendous. 49-46 or 48-47 Pantoja would have been acceptable. This fight was so good and so entertaining that the UFC may book a fourth bout between the two, especially considering it earned both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Pantoja is 3-0 in the rivalry thus far.
It could be quite a long time before you come across a bloody, back-and-forth matchup that can come remotely close to matching this brawl. Moreno got out of the blocks quickly, as one would expect. Yet, over the course of the final 20 minutes, it was Pantoja who found himself able to pull away some. That's not to say Moreno didn't have his moments, but Pantoja landed six takedowns over the course for the final three rounds. Sometimes that's all it takes in a close fight. The 49-46 Moreno scorecard was horrendous. 49-46 or 48-47 Pantoja would have been acceptable. This fight was so good and so entertaining that the UFC may book a fourth bout between the two, especially considering it earned both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Pantoja is 3-0 in the rivalry thus far.
Championship fight scheduled
Pantoja will face Brandon Moreno in a flyweight title fight UFC 290 on July 8 in Las Vegas, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pantoja will get his first shot at a UFC championship and his second chance to face Moreno, whom the Brazilian defeated in 2018. Following the Moreno win, Pantoja went 6-2 and finished the eight-fight span with a three-fight win streak. As for the losses, they were against Deiveson Figueiredo and a then-undefeated Askar Askarov.
Pantoja will get his first shot at a UFC championship and his second chance to face Moreno, whom the Brazilian defeated in 2018. Following the Moreno win, Pantoja went 6-2 and finished the eight-fight span with a three-fight win streak. As for the losses, they were against Deiveson Figueiredo and a then-undefeated Askar Askarov.
Backup role at UFC 283
Pantoja will train to be the backup fighter for the scheduled matchup between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 in Brazil, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
This is a role that Pantoja has already agreed to on two separate occasions and may be his only current path to a title shot given the UFC's willingness to run the scheduled main event back for a rare fourth showdown. Pantoja also has a history with both fighters, as he defeated Moreno via decision in 2018 and lost to Figueiredo via decision in 2019. The report also suggests that Pantoja -- who last won a fight against Alex Perez via first-round submission in July -- is unwilling to face anyone else on the card if it's not for the title, which suggests he'll be next in line regardless of outcome.
This is a role that Pantoja has already agreed to on two separate occasions and may be his only current path to a title shot given the UFC's willingness to run the scheduled main event back for a rare fourth showdown. Pantoja also has a history with both fighters, as he defeated Moreno via decision in 2018 and lost to Figueiredo via decision in 2019. The report also suggests that Pantoja -- who last won a fight against Alex Perez via first-round submission in July -- is unwilling to face anyone else on the card if it's not for the title, which suggests he'll be next in line regardless of outcome.