Seconds into the first round of their UFC 323 co-main, former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja‘s leg shot up for a head kick, which Joshua Van caught. A disbalanced Pantoja met the mats, dislocating his elbow. Or so it seemed until Megan Olivi left even MMA’s greats like Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier agape.

While Pantoja’s exact medical condition is still behind a blindfold, a recent update has surfaced that was just as hard to digest as the initial suspicion. The replay shows Pantoja posting his left palm onto the mat as he landed on the ground, appearing as though his left elbow had bent the other way. However, Megan Olvi’s live broadcast shifted the focus to his shoulder instead.

“I spoke with the UFC’s chief medical physician, Dr. Jeff Davidson, he told me Pantoja had a left shoulder dislocation with spontaneous reduction,” Megan Olivi shared with the UFC commentators. This update not only surprised the prying fans but also UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who thought the ‘Cannibal’ had sustained the freak injury on his elbow on the UFC 323 post-show.

“No, it was his elbow, for sure the elbow,” he countered. “It looked like his elbow,” Daniel Cormier shared that sentiment. However, looks like Olivi wasn’t wrong with her phrasing, as she added how Pantoja would undergo additional imaging on Monday for his injury.

“Doesn’t even make sense, we saw his elbow like literally leave the joint!” a bewildered Rogan exclaimed. Jon Anik also chimed in, “Well maybe something with the shoulders, but certainly there’s something on that elbow.”

MMA writer Adam Martin further tweeted Megan Olivi’s post on X, noting how the assessment “makes no sense.” Moments later, Dana White confirmed the same at the presser, that it was Panotja’s shoulder that popped out and that the doctors had put it back in during the backstage medical evaluation.

As the replays blared through the screens, it’s hard to make out whether it was indeed Pantoja’s shoulder, despite the UFC officials’ “triple confirmed” medical assessment. But the fans are not buying into the statement just yet.

Confusion reels through the MMA World over Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC 323 injury

Adam Martin’s post on X was sure to ruffle some feathers, as fans jumped in with their own assessments of the 26-second clip. While it’s not impossible to dislocate your shoulder through a poorly executed fall, Pantoja’s elbow seemed to take a lot more of the brutal clash. “Shoulder? You mean elbow, surely,” one user skeptically commented.

Others raised direct questions to the UFC’s medics and doctors. Mocking GIFs followed with messages like: “WTH! Who is his doctor? I want to talk to him,” and “Dana said we’ll get you the best treatment then had a janitor backstage take a look at it 🤣.”

Another user jumped on the wagon, sarcastically writing, “Apparently I’ve been mixing up the shoulder and elbow my entire life.” Clearly, the fans are standing their ground on what they believe happened inside the cage, which makes complete sense if we take a look at the numerous clips surfacing on the internet. “So strange, we literally saw his elbow bend backwards!” Another fan joined the confusion episode.

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One fan went the length to post a clear picture of Pantoja’s elbow bent inwards, showcasing clear damage to his elbow. They wrote: “The elbow was broadcast in 4K around the world.” While the verdict lies with the UFC’s officials and medics, Alexandre Pantoja has himself stepped in with his first message since the heartbreaking injury loss.

Taking to his Instagram, he wrote, “I’ve been through worse. I’ll come back even stronger, you can be sure of that. Thank you for the messages.” Alongside the message, he posted a picture of himself of which looks to be prior to his octagon entry. However, he didn’t post any official confirmation of the actual injury he has sustained.

Regardless, it looks like Pantoja is sidelined from the center stage of the flyweight division for quite some time now. He might or might not need surgery depending on the extent of the injury. But as the confusion hangs over Alexandre Pantoja’s recovery timeline, Dana White has stepped in with a concerning new update.

Dana White provides update on Pantoja’s return and injury   

After Megan Olivi confirmed that Alexandre Pantoja indeed suffered a shoulder injury, and not an elbow injury, it became clear that the former champ would need a long time away from the sport to recover. Confirming ‘The Cannibal’s shoulder injury, Dana White also gave an update, saying there’s currently no timeframe for Pantoja’s return, as doctors will test his ligaments and joints before clearing anything further.

“They popped his shoulder back in. I thought it was his elbow. No, it was not his elbow. It was his shoulder, and they popped it back in backstage. Now they gotta do MRI and check out the ligament. We don’t have a timeframe on how long he’ll be out.  

Now, shoulder injuries can be especially grueling, and the UFC has a clear example of how brutal they can get: Jiri Prochazka. The former champ tore multiple joints and ligaments in his shoulder and needed a long, painful recovery. Suspecting a similar situation with Pantoja, Dana White also made it clear that the division will move forward before he returns.

“No matter what happens. Listen… I’m no f—in doctor or anything, but I don’t see him coming back anytime soon. I think there would be a defense before he comes back. I think he’s gonna need some time. Some time or most of the time, I would say ligaments are worse than a break.”

With Pantoja sidelined, the UFC will likely have the newly crowned champ Joshua Van defend his title, possibly against Tatsuro Taira, who scored an incredible win over Brandon Moreno on the same card. Meanwhile, the Brazilian has shared his own update, revealing that he plans to get back to work immediately.

“I just want to work very hard and bring my belt to my home again. I appreciate everybody. Tomorrow, fly back to home. Monday, I follow my dream again.” Alexandre Pantoja shared his first reaction on social media, wearing a shoulder support.

Well, it seems Pantoja’s road to recovery will officially begin on Monday, and only after the full details of his injuries go public will we have a clearer idea of when he might return. That said, what do you think could be the projected timeline for the former champ’s comeback, considering his shoulder injury? Let us know in the comments section below.