Former fearsome flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has returned to sparring after struggling a severe harm at UFC 323. This severe harm ended a rare title reign at 125 kilos and put the Brazilian within the dialog of all-time greats, not simply in his division however throughout the game.
Had he been profitable in opposition to Joshua Vann at UFC 323, it will have been his fifth consecutive protection of the 125-pound belt, and given his dominance over the flyweight division and all the highest contenders, there would have been a possible bounce to 135 kilos. The harm was brought on by Vann touchdown awkwardly within the first 30 seconds of the title match after catching the champion’s kick.
Given the severity of the harm and Pantoja’s age, many count on his return to be this summer season on the earliest, doubtlessly making him seem on the extremely anticipated White Home card. Nonetheless, “The Cannibal’s” return could also be before anticipated, as social media exhibits that Pantoja is already again to sparring and coaching.
There is no query that the flyweight title will probably be on the road when Pantoja returns, however who would be the champion upon his return? New champion Van has been notoriously profitable, and final yr was no completely different from the Myanmar native. The upheaval on the prime of the division might additionally affect lower-tier opponents, creating new alternatives for gamers who’ve failed up to now. Potential challengers Tatsuro Hira and Manel Cape are each heading into 2026 in good type, with the most effective wins of their careers.
Will the UFC look ahead to a former champion to return, or will new blood compete for flyweight gold first in 2026?
