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Alexandre Pantoja knew he had superior grappling in order that’s precisely what he used to beat Brandon Royval within the UFC 296 co-main occasion.
Repeatedly, the reigning UFC flyweight champion dragged the combat right down to the bottom the place he continually threatened with submissions over all 5 rounds. Whereas Royval resisted the end, he simply couldn’t mount a lot offense and he spent nearly all of the combat caught on his again or heading off the excessive stage grappling coming from Pantoja.
In the long run, the judges scored the combat 50-45, 50-45 and 49-47 with Pantoja getting the nod by unanimous resolution.
“That is the very best present on this planet,” Pantoja stated afterwards. “I like to combat right here. This combat is perhaps too boring, I don’t like to do this combat however I have to maintain this belt for my household, for Brazil. This man don’t cease any time. I really like that child. He grew up.”
It was an ultra-aggressive sport plan from Pantoja early as he simply marched throughout the octagon and went on the assault to push the tempo on Royval. There have been a few moments the place Royval tagged the flyweight champion with some well-timed counter punches however Pantoja ultimately secured a takedown.
Pantoja resisted Royval’s scrambles and makes an attempt to slide free however the fighters ultimately labored again to the ft simply earlier than the primary spherical ended. Following the one-minute break, Pantoja instantly got here out and threw a kick that undoubtedly acquired Royval’s consideration however that led to a different takedown this time within the heart of the cage.
It was a methodical strategy from Pantoja whereas grinding Royval into the canvas whereas seeking to advance his place on the bottom. Within the briefest moments when the combat acquired again to the ft, Pantoja managed to shock Royval with a stiff proper hand that briefly wobbled flyweight contender.
Pantoja continued with the identical technique however as time handed into the third spherical, the Brazilian’s conditioning seemingly began to waiver and that allowed Royval to start out dictating the tempo a bit extra. Royval began sticking a jab in Pantoja’s face together with a nasty knee up the center however he nonetheless couldn’t cease one other takedown.
Together with his coaches telling him that he seemingly misplaced the third spherical, Pantoja shortly dragged Royval again to the bottom once more however this time he superior to take the again the place he locked on the physique triangle. Pantoja saved combating to seize onto the rear bare choke with Royval desperately making an attempt to withstand and break away.
As time ticked away into the fifth and closing spherical, Royval got here out firing after his coaches urged him to go for the end or he’d stroll away with a loss in his first try at changing into UFC champion. Royval placed on a valiant effort whereas popping Pantoja with a number of stiff jabs however he simply couldn’t do sufficient injury to show the tide.
A late takedown from Pantoja sealed the deal as he saved Royval on his again till time expired to assist him safe his first title protection as champion.
Pantoja waited a very long time to lastly get his probability at a UFC title and he proved he was worthy to take a seat on the prime of the 125-pound division together with his efficiency on Saturday. As for Royval, he got here up quick however definitely by no means give up and he’ll stay a troublesome out for anyone seeking to soar in within the flyweight rankings.
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