Alexandre Pantoja Addresses Injury That Ended UFC 323 Title Reign

Alexandre Pantoja faced a devastating turn of events at UFC 323, where he suffered an injury that ended his flyweight title reign. Just 26 seconds into the match against Joshua Van, Pantoja experienced a significant health setback that dramatically altered the course of the fight.

Pantoja’s Injury at UFC 323

During the opening round, Pantoja attempted a head kick when the unexpected injury occurred. As he landed and braced himself, a loud pop was audible from his elbow. Instantly, Pantoja grasped his arm in pain and signaled to the referee to stop the bout.

A Title Change

• Joshua Van was declared the new UFC flyweight champion.
• Pantoja’s injury resulted in a quick halt of the fight.

Following the incident, Pantoja shared his feelings through a statement on Instagram. He expressed gratitude for the support and maintained a positive outlook for his recovery. “I’ve been through worse,” he stated emphatically. “I’ll come back even stronger, you can be sure of that. Thank you for the messages.”

Medical Updates

Post-fight, UFC officials provided a medical update. Reports indicated that Pantoja might have suffered a left shoulder dislocation that spontaneously reduced itself. Megan Olivi, a UFC reporter, shared insights from chief medical physician Dr. Jeff Davidson, who noted that Pantoja’s shoulder had returned to its normal position independently.

Confusion Over Diagnosis

However, this information led to some confusion, particularly among commentators. Joe Rogan expressed skepticism over the diagnosis, emphasizing that the visible injury appeared related to Pantoja’s elbow. “It doesn’t even make sense,” Rogan remarked. “You saw his elbow literally leave the joint.”

What’s Next for Pantoja?

Regardless of the exact nature of his injury, Pantoja is likely to face a period of rehabilitation. The timeline for his return to the octagon will depend on the severity of the injury diagnosed in his subsequent medical imaging.

Once he recovers, Alexandre Pantoja is expected to be back in title contention. However, the specifics of when that might happen remain uncertain as he navigates his recovery from the freak injury incurred at UFC 323.