UFC 296 results: Alexandre Pantoja retains title with suffocating performance to beat Brandon Royval

17/12/2023 06:34

Alexandre Pantoja knew he had superior grappling so that's exactly what he used to beat Brandon Royval in the UFC 296 co-main event.

Again and again, the reigning UFC flyweight champion dragged the fight down to the ground where he constantly threatened with submissions over all five rounds. While Royval resisted the finish, he just couldn't mount much offense and he spent the majority of the fight stuck on his back or fending off the high level grappling coming from Pantoja.

In the end, the judges scored the fight 50-45, 50-45 and 49-47 with Pantoja getting the nod by unanimous decision.

"This is the best show in the world," Pantoja said afterwards. "I love to fight here. This fight is maybe too boring, I don't like to do that fight but I need to keep this belt for my family, for Brazil. This guy don't stop any time. I love that kid. He grew up."

It was an ultra-aggressive game plan from Pantoja early as he just marched across the octagon and went on the attack to push the pace on Royval. There were a couple of moments where Royval tagged the flyweight champion with some well-timed counter punches but Pantoja eventually secured a takedown.

Pantoja resisted Royval's scrambles and attempts to slip free but the fighters eventually worked back to the feet just before the first round ended. Following the one-minute break, Pantoja immediately came out and threw a kick that definitely got Royval's attention but that led to another takedown this time in the center of the cage.

It was a methodical approach from Pantoja while grinding Royval into the canvas while looking to advance his position on the ground. In the briefest moments when the fight got back to the feet, Pantoja managed to surprise Royval with a stiff right hand that briefly wobbled flyweight contender.

Pantoja continued with the same strategy but as time passed into the third round, the Brazilian's conditioning seemingly started to waiver and that allowed Royval to start dictating the pace a bit more. Royval started sticking a jab in Pantoja's face along with a nasty knee up the middle but he still couldn't stop another takedown.

With his coaches telling him that he likely lost the third round, Pantoja quickly dragged Royval back to the ground again but this time he advanced to take the back where he locked on the body triangle. Pantoja kept fighting to grab onto the rear naked choke with Royval desperately trying to resist and break free.

As time ticked away into the fifth and final round, Royval came out firing after his coaches urged him to go for the finish or he'd walk away with a loss in his first attempt at becoming UFC champion. Royval put on a valiant effort while popping Pantoja with several stiff jabs but he just couldn't do enough damage to turn the tide.

A late takedown from Pantoja sealed the deal as he kept Royval on his back until time expired to help him secure his first title defense as champion.

Pantoja waited a long time to finally get his chance at a UFC title and he proved he was worthy to sit at the top of the 125-pound division with his performance on Saturday. As for Royval, he came up short but certainly never quit and he'll remain a tough out for anybody looking to jump in in the flyweight rankings.