Alexandre Pantoja’s journey to the belt was no joke. It took the Rio de Janeiro native almost sixteen years and 31 professional fights to become the UFC flyweight champion, but “The Cannibal” would not be denied.
What makes Pantoja’s rise so special is that it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses; he’s used setbacks to evolve as a fighter and blossom into the champion we recognize today.
In 2016, Pantoja participated on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions, which featured sixteen flyweight fighters who were champions in other promotions.