Boasting a 43% submission rate, 14 wins inside the Octagon, and a career where he’s never been finished, you expect Alexandre Pantoja’s nickname to carry some weight. But few monikers in the flyweight division or beyond hit quite as hard as ‘The Cannibal’. 

It isn’t just a title printed on a poster; it has grown into a symbol of how he tears through elite competition and refuses to slow down, even deep into his thirties. With 30 career wins, four consecutive title defenses, and a fifth one approaching at UFC 323, fans often wonder: where did this unusual nickname even come from? And how did it stick so perfectly to the most dominant flyweight of his era?

Origin of Alexandre Pantoja’s nickname ‘The Cannibal’

There is no information about the history of Alexandre Pantoja’s label as ‘The Cannibal’. Apparently, the Brazilian fighter has been using this nickname for a long time now. Yet, nobody knows who gave him this nickname and why. 

As Alexandre Pantoja began his journey toward the UFC as a part of 2016, ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions’, he was part of Team Henry Cejudo on the show, which faced off against Team Joseph Benavidez. Since then, the flyweight champion has continued to use ‘The Cannibal’ as his moniker.

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While he faced defeat in the semi-finals of the tournament against Hiromasa Ougikubo via a unanimous decision, he had impressed the UFC with his performances and was soon signed to a contract with the promotion. He made his debut in the promotion at UFC on Fox 23 in 2017, where he secured the win via a split decision against Eric Shelton and started the journey that has now led him to the top of the flyweight division.

While he has yet to reveal the story behind ‘The Cannibal’ moniker, his MMA record provides a glimpse as to why the Brazilian has been bestowed with the terrifying nickname!

How Alexandre Pantoja’s fighting style reflects his nickname

It’s interesting to note that he is currently on an 8-fight win streak in the UFC that started with his victory over Manel Kape in 2021. With 8 knockouts and 12 submission victories to his name in his career, Pantoja is a dangerous fighter, capable of finishing his opponents on the ground or on the feet. As such, it makes sense that he would be nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’, as he too has demonstrated the capacity of ‘devouring’ his fellow fighters inside the cage.

Pantoja is also known for his relentless drive and pressure inside the Octagon. In his fight against Brandon Moreno for the title at UFC 290, Pantoja dug deep in the championship rounds to edge out Moreno as he secured the split decision victory and the UFC gold on that night.

As he prepares for his fifth title defense at UFC 323 against Joshua Van, the nickname carries even more significance. Alexandre Pantoja is no longer the underdog from TUF or the scrappy brawler who relied on heart alone. He’s a complete champion, one who built an era at flyweight and continues to evolve!