Alexandre Pantoja’s Uber Eats hustle during UFC title pursuit

Posted on by Prathy Dey

Alexandre Pantoja had to overcome a lot to get his long-awaited shot at the UFC flyweight championship. That included Pantoja’s Uber Eats hustle during his UFC title pursuit, just two years before his eventual win over Brandon Moreno. Reflecting on his journey, Pantoja shared the challenges he faced, highlighting his time as an Uber Eats driver as a testament to his determination and resilience, ultimately leading him to the triumphant moment of becoming the UFC flyweight champion.

Alexandre Pantoja emerged victorious in the co-main event of UFC 290, held in Las Vegas this past Saturday, capturing the coveted 125-pound gold by defeating Brandon Moreno. However, Pantoja’s journey to this momentous triumph was far from easy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself in need of a second job in Florida to make ends meet.

Following his decision win over Manel Kape in February 2021, just months after a loss to Askar Askarov in the first series of Fight Island events in Abu Dhabi, where he served as a backup fighter, Pantoja faced financial challenges. To cope with the shortage of funds, he made the difficult decision to send his wife and children back to Brazil for a period of time.

Alone in Florida for eight months, Pantoja took up work as an Uber Eats driver just days before his UFC clash with Brandon Royval in August 2021. Despite the hardships he faced, Pantoja viewed these sacrifices as necessary for his family’s well-being.

“For me, it’s about sacrifice,” Pantoja expressed on The MMA Hour. “I used the money I earned from the fight with Manel as a down payment for the house, and bringing my family back was the most important thing to me. Money was tight, and my wife started cleaning houses while I worked as an Uber Eats driver. I would do it all over again if I had to. It’s not just about myself; this is about my family, my kids, my two boys.”

However, the path to success was far from smooth for Alexandre Pantoja. Just one week before his fight with Royval, Pantoja found himself delivering Uber Eats in the rain while battling illness. He feared it might be COVID-19, as he only had one month’s worth of funds to cover his bills. Despite being sick, Pantoja made weight and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete. Winning the fight and securing a bonus meant he could undergo surgery for a completely broken ACL and take time to recover.

After an 11-month hiatus, Pantoja returned to the octagon and swiftly finished Alex Perez in just 91 seconds, solidifying his position as the top contender. He patiently awaited the conclusion of the Moreno vs. Figueiredo trilogy before finally earning his well-deserved title shot.

Pantoja believes that his journey and the choices he made ultimately led him to capture the belt. He expressed joy at being able to share his history with others, particularly those who may have doubted their own chances at achieving greatness. Although he acknowledges the potential for a rematch with Moreno, whom he defeated 3-0, Pantoja desires a fresh challenge in his next fight to further evolve the division.

He also credits his longtime head coach, Marcos “Parrumpinha” da Matta, stating that he deserves the title of “Coach of the Year” for 2023. Pantoja’s focus now turns to the UFC’s decision on his next opponent, suggesting that two other fighters could compete first before he enters the cage again.