Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his UFC flyweight title against Brandon Royval in the co-main event of UFC 296, held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pantoja won via unanimous decision, as Royval could not secure a finish in the 5-round bout.
Fight Background
Pantoja and Royval first met in August 2021, on the main card of UFC Vegas 34, where Pantoja defeated Royval via second-round rear-naked choke. Since then, both fighters have had notable achievements:
- Pantoja won the UFC flyweight title by defeating Brandon Moreno via split decision at UFC 290.
- Royval earned his way to the title fight by securing a three-fight win streak, including first-round finishes over Matt Schnell and Matheus Nicolau.
Fight Highlights
The UFC 296 bout was a thrilling match-up between two promising fighters. Pantoja used his wrestling skills to secure three rounds on two cards, ultimately sealing the victory and retaining the flyweight title.
Post-Fight Analysis
After the fight, Pantoja’s impressive performance was evident, as he has now won four consecutive fights and eight of his last 10. On the other hand, Royval has lost some momentum after his recent setbacks but has shown determination and skill in his three most recent wins. Despite the loss, Royval has proven that he is a dangerous contender in the UFC’s flyweight division.
With this victory, Pantoja remains the current UFC flyweight champion, showcasing his technical skills and resilience in the Octagon.
