Alexandre Pantoja Triumphs Over Brandon Moreno to Become UFC Flyweight Champion
LAS VEGAS -- The flyweight division of the UFC has consistently delivered remarkable title fights, and the recent showdown between Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja was no exception. After a grueling five-round battle, Pantoja (26-5) emerged as the victor, narrowly defeating the defending champion and claiming Moreno's 125-pound championship via split decision in the co-main event of UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Two judges scored the title fight 48-47 in favor of Pantoja, while one judge had it 49-46 for Moreno.
UFC president Dana White revealed that Moreno suffered a broken hand in the first round.
Although Saturday's bout marked their second official meeting, it could be considered their third encounter. Pantoja had previously submitted Moreno in a fight on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show back in 2016, but that result did not count towards their professional records. They faced each other again in 2018, with Pantoja securing a unanimous decision victory.
However, Saturday's clash proved to be their closest and most skillful encounter to date.
"Moreno has evolved so much," Pantoja acknowledged. "I didn't expect him to be such a tough opponent tonight, but I have dedicated so much effort to this moment. Over the past two years, I have worked tirelessly, bringing my family from Brazil to the U.S. and training at American Top Team. ... If you know my story, you will appreciate this victory. I have poured my heart and soul into it."
The statistics of the fight highlighted its tightly contested nature. According to UFC Stats, Moreno had a slight advantage in total strikes, outlanding Pantoja 167-161. However, Pantoja showcased superior ground control, frequently taking Moreno's back and accumulating over eight minutes of control time. Although Moreno proved difficult to restrain, Pantoja's dominance in crucial moments likely influenced the judges' decision.
With this win, Pantoja puts an end to Moreno's two-fight winning streak in title fights. Moreno, hailing from Tijuana, had recently completed a rare four-fight rivalry against Deiveson Figueiredo, another Brazilian competitor. Moreno unified the flyweight belt by defeating Figueiredo in their final meeting in January, but unfortunately, he surrenders the title in his first title defense.