"UFC gave me everything" - Newly crowned champion Alexandre Pantoja explains UberEats stint amid UFC title run
Alexandre Pantoja has lived through some harsh times before becoming the UFC flyweight champion. Despite his hardships, the Brazilian recently expressed his gratitude towards the promotion and recalled working as an Uber Eats driver during his rollercoaster title run.
'The Cannibal' recently fought Brendon Moreno in a flyweight title match at UFC 290 last weekend. Both fighters displayed immense heart and grit over five rounds, however, Pantoja ultimately defeated the Mexican via split decision to take home flyweight gold.
Brandon Moreno vs Alexandre Pantoja II
Potentially the fight of the year so far🔥
https://t.co/qafzw0nNvS
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Alexandre Pantoja weighed in on the ever-pressing UFC fighter pay issue. However, while many have criticized the promotion, Pantoja claimed his experiences shouldn't be used as anti-UFC arguments. He stated:
"I brought my family back to the U.S.... And money was short... I’m a man, and I need to take care of my business. My wife started working, and I started working. This like, ‘Oh my God, he’s a UFC fighter, and he’s working for UberEats.’ This is life... I’m not trying to put some bad thing for UFC. I love UFC... UFC gave me everything."
Catch Pantoja's comments below (27:00):
Alexandre Pantoja is on an incredible four-fight win streak, last tasting defeat against Askar Askarov in July 2020. He has a professional MMA record of 26-5.
'The Cannibal' is now the UFC's lone Brazilian champion after former two-division champion Amanda Nunes announced her retirement last month.
Fans react to Alexandre Pantoja receiving a hero's welcome from his ATT teammates
Alexandre Pantoja recently defeated Brendon Moreno at UFC 290 to win the UFC flyweight championship. After his win, the Brazilian fighter, who trains at the American Top Team (ATT) gym in Florida, took his shiny new flyweight belt to his famous training ground.
Pantoja's ATT teammates welcomed him with much enthusiasm and pomp as he walked in with the strap and waved it around. With cheering and clapping all around, 'The Cannibal' couldn't help but gleam with pride.
The heartwarming video was recently tweeted by @jasoneg33 and received equally heartwarming reactions from fans in the comments section.
🏾Alexandre Pantoja getting all the love from his ATT teammates 👏🏾 https://t.co/2LBYpu9HLI
One fan asked:
"How long has it been since ATT had a legit, non meme, non interim belt? Feels like quite a while."
@jasoneg33 How long has it been since ATT had a legit, non meme, non interim belt? Feels like quite a while.
One user opined:
"He deserves all his flowers. I just hate seeing Moreno lose man. Kills me every time."
@jasoneg33 He deserves all his flowers. I just hate seeing Moreno lose man. Kills me every time.
One fan wrote:
"Well deserved."
@jasoneg33 Well deserved
One fan joked about noticing Marlon Moraes among the crowd and wrote:
"I know marlon Moraes hairline when I see it."
@jasoneg33 I know marlon Moraes hairline when I see it 😭
Another user wrote:
"Love to see it."
@jasoneg33 @808MMAINSIGHT Love to see it
One fan wrote:
"I need to join an MMA join and start training. I love the camaraderie shown here."
@jasoneg33 I need to join an MMA join and start training. I love the camaraderie shown here.
@jasoneg33 Look at that smile! It feels good to be Champ!
@jasoneg33 https://t.co/DnZZRDGJaR
@jasoneg33 The human badger!