Alexandre Pantoja lost his flyweight title at UFC 323 after suffering a horrific arm injury during his co-main event fight with Joshua Van.
Pantoja, 35, fell to the canvas after landing a head kick on Van, helped a bit by a push from the challenger. When he tried to fix his arm, it seemed to break, a dislocation or fracture, from the looks of it.
Now “The Cannibal” has spoken out, promising he’ll be back sooner than fans might think. Pantoja posted a number of messages on social media in the aftermath of the fight, including one in a video with his arm in a sling.
“I’ve been through worse. I’ll come back even stronger, you can be sure. Thanks for the messages,” says Pantoja posted shortly after the end of the battle.
Sunday the Brazilian posted a second message with the video above. “Thank you all for being with me, there has never been a lack of struggle in my life, and once again I will fight against all odds,” Pantoja wrote in the accompanying post. “We’ll be back sooner than you think!!!”
In the video, Pantoja broke up the fight, which lasted just 26 seconds, and explained why he came out of the opening bell guns blazing.
“That’s what happened, you know. Accidents. Going into the UFC today, I think I was in the best shape of my life. When I see Joshua Van on the other side of the octagon, I believe I can finish him in the first round, that’s what I tried to do,” he stated. “The best camp of my life, the best weight cut, the best everything. I felt so comfortable in the octagon. That’s my octagon, that’s my belt, that’s all I’ve done in my entire life up to that point. And I…Joshua just came and won this belt.”
“I talked to my wife about that. It’s not just about me today, it’s about Joshua Van. Joshua Van, that’s his destiny to win that title tonight. And he can just win this title today with my injury. And I talked to God, God gave me the message. I really believe in God and the whole message. I pray a lot.”
“I want to work very hard. I’ve worked very hard all my life, and I’m going to work again, and I’m going to take my belt again,” Pantoja promised. “I really appreciate all the messages.”
Pantoja vowed not to say “any nonsense about anyone”, adding: “I just want to work really hard and bring my belt back home. I appreciate everyone. Fly back home tomorrow, Monday I’ll start following my dream again.”
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