Alexandre Pantoja’s Long Road to the Top

It has taken Alexandre Pantoja more than six years of countless ups and downs to get here, and he has every intention of making the most of his opportunity.

“The Cannibal,” who arrived in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2017, will challenge Brandon Moreno for the undisputed flyweight crown in the UFC 290 co-headliner on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pantoja enters the Octagon on the strength of three consecutive victories, the last two of them via submission. He credits an unwavering diligence for his surge to the top of the 125-pound rankings.

“All of that is the result of the work I’ve done throughout my entire life,” Pantoja told Sherdog.com. “There are countless factors and training partners that brought me to this point. My victories are thanks to my team and to my willpower.”

Getting the best of Moreno will be no easy task. The Fortis MMA rep has lost just once in his past 10 appearances—a decision defeat to Deiveson Figueiredo he later avenged to unify the flyweight championship. Moreno, 29, has never been finished in his 29-fight career.

“He’s fierce,” Pantoja said. “His strong suit is something that every fighter needs: heart. The rest is training. I knew of his qualities long before he became champion. He fights until the bitter end. It pleases me to know I’ll be facing someone like that. I can’t predict how things will go, but I’m always ready to give everything in my fights. Above all, we’ll put on a great show.”

Anchored at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, Pantoja figures to be uniquely prepared for his latest test. There, he works alongside other accomplished flyweights, including Jussier Formiga, Adriano Moraes, Kyoji Horiguchi and Victor Dias.

“It’s the best academy in the world,” Pantoja said. “I’m not going anywhere. I feel great. I look forward to training with everyone here in order to pick up new knowledge. I’m in the best place for a flyweight.”

Like Moreno, Pantoja has never been stopped as a pro. Consider it a meeting between the irresistible force and the immovable object at 125 pounds. Pantoja has major plans moving forward. Whether or not they come to fruition remains to be seen.

“Not only do I want to capture the belt, but I also want to defend it,” Pantoja said. “After all these years of work, I’ve reached a moment of greater understanding. In addition, I’d like to make it into the pound-for-pound rankings. I want to take advantage of all the visibility that comes with being a champion.”