Every fighter who steps foot into the Octagon has a story to tell, and the current UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, is no exception. Pantoja, who clinched his title with a split decision victory over Brandon Moreno, faced an exceptionally challenging path to secure the gold.

In a recent interview on the ‘Weighing In’ podcast with ‘Big’ John McCarthy and Josh Thomson, Johnny Eblen, the current Bellator Middleweight champion and a teammate of Pantoja, revealed more about the fighter’s journey to the title. Eblen praised Pantoja and shared an inspiring story about his struggles.

Alexandre Pantoja became the UFC champion despite these hurdles

During the interview, Josh Thomson raised a question about the impact of a champion’s success on the morale of the entire team at American Top Team. Eblen responded by highlighting Pantoja’s story and the incredible dedication he displayed in his pursuit of the title.

Eblen recalled, “He is such a bada** man. I remember watching him get ready for that fight, and I thought I trained hard. But this guy had some demons inside of him, the way he trained. I could tell, and after I heard his story a little bit after he won the belt, like he was fking driving for Uber Eats a few fights ago. I’m like, no wonder this motherfker was training so hard.”

Pantoja’s title-winning performance came at UFC 290, where he faced off against Brandon Moreno in a closely contested battle. The fight saw both fighters refusing to give an inch, leading to Pantoja’s victory via a split decision. Following this remarkable achievement, Pantoja made an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

Pantoja and his journey to the title

During the interview, Pantoja revealed that he had to take on a second job in Florida to make ends meet. He worked as an Uber Eats driver just days before his clash with Brandon Royval in 2021. Pantoja even participated in jiu-jitsu tournaments for additional income.

He shared the challenges he faced, saying, “One week before the fight [with Royval], I’m delivering Uber Eats, it’s raining, and I’m sick. When I go to fight week, I’m very sick, and I’m very scared of getting COVID again. And I just prayed it’s not COVID because I just had one month for my bills, you know?”

Read More: “As a Mexican This Is Still Cool to See”: Combat World Hails “Hometown Hero” Alexandre Pantoja as He Parades in Brazil, Weeks After His Win Against Brandon Moreno at UFC 290

Pantoja’s dedication and determination paid off when he re-entered the octagon 11 months later and defeated Alex Perez in just 91 seconds, solidifying his position as the No. 1 contender. He patiently waited for the resolution of the Moreno vs. Figueiredo matchup. Before finally earning his well-deserved title shot, he ultimately changed his life for the better..

In conclusion, Alexandre Pantoja’s journey from being an Uber Eats driver and jiu-jitsu tournament competitor to becoming the UFC flyweight champion is a testament to his unwavering commitment and resilience. Who do you think should challenge Pantoja for his title next? Share your thoughts in the comment below.

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