Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo, known as "The Cannibal," is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's flyweight division.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Pantoja began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 11 under master Osvaldo Alves, first in Copacabana and later in Arraial do Cabo, where he was already teaching the discipline by his mid-teens. He was introduced to muay thai through a jiu-jitsu tournament and transitioned into mixed martial arts as a teenager, turning professional in 2007. Pantoja trained early in his career with the Black House camp before relocating to South Florida to join American Top Team, where he has been based since 2018.

A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the lineage of Osvaldo Alves, Pantoja carried elite grappling credentials into his MMA career well before reaching the sport's top level. He further raised his profile with a standout run on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24, competing as the tournament's top seed under coach Henry Cejudo.

Pantoja is regarded as one of the most dangerous finishers in the flyweight division, pairing relentless forward pressure and durable striking with elite ground control. His submission game, particularly the rear-naked choke, has proven a persistent threat for opponents caught in scrambles, and his ability to mix takedowns with heavy top-position offense sets him apart from many of his peers.

Among his career-defining performances is his UFC 290 victory over Brandon Moreno by split decision, which earned him the UFC Flyweight Championship in July 2023. He went on to defend the title across four consecutive championship fights before losing it to Joshua Van at UFC 323 in December 2025.

Pantoja's combination of jiu-jitsu pedigree, finishing instinct, and championship success has cemented his standing among the most accomplished flyweights in UFC history.