Video: Fans In Brazil Celebrate As Alexandre Pantoja Returns Home With UFC Belt
Alexandre Pantoja was given a tremendous welcome back to his hometown of Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after claiming the UFC flyweight title last weekend at UFC 290.
A member of the UFC roster since 2017, Pantoja has consistently been one of the promotion’s top flyweights but had never challenged for a UFC title. A three-fight win streak that included two impressive submissions finally got the Brazilian a matchup with then-champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, with Pantoja looking to get his third victory over the Mexican.
Fans were excited about the flyweight title fight, but no one expected the two men to put on a wild bout that took home Fight of the Night honors and might be the current frontrunner for Fight of the Year.
Alexandre Pantoja Returns Home To Brazil As UFC Champion
Pantoja walked away from that incredible matchup with the flyweight title after two judges scored the fight in his favor. Fans in Arraial do Cabo were apparently thrilled to see their hometown fighter return as a UFC champion.
.@Pantojamma received a heroes welcome in his hometown of Arraial do Cabo 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/M36ItJn6VW
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 15, 2023
With the flyweight belt now in the Brazilian’s possession, talk has already turned to which top contender deserves a crack at the newly crowned champion.
The 33-year-old’s current four-fight win streak already includes victories over Manel Kape, Alex Perez and Brandon Royval, and some fans have suggested that the #3-ranked Amir Albazi would be the perfect challenger to kick off Pantoja’s title reign.
There’s also been discussion around the possibility of the Brazilian taking on Moreno in an immediate rematch, which few fans would likely complain about considering the incredible war the two men put on in their last meeting.
Read Also: Newly Crowned UFC Flyweight Champ Alexandre Pantoja Was Uber Eats Driver Up Until Two Years Ago
