ALEXANDRE PANTOJA

Hailing from Brazil, this veteran flyweight athlete developed his skills through extensive training at American Top Team. Since turning professional in 2007 following a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he emerged as a consistent promotional force after competing on The Ultimate Fighter. Known for his grappling ability and endurance, the orthodox fighter earned the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 290. His tenure as titleholder included four successful defenses, establishing him as a prominent figure within the division with multiple records for victories and submissions.

Entering the event with a professional standing of 30-7-0, the Brazilian grappler faces a difficult stretch of recent activity. He secured unanimous decision victories over Steve Erceg and captured wins against Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France before his current downturn. His previous two appearances resulted in consecutive defeats to Joshua Van, including a technical knockout loss due to an arm injury in late 2025 and a recent unanimous decision setback in September 2026.