Alexandre Pantoja started his flyweight title reign in a positive manner on Saturday when he once again defeated Brandon Royval, this time at UFC 296.
After submitting Royval (15-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in the first meeting back in August 2021, Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) managed to repeat the feat, this time by unanimous decision in the 125-pound title bout, which served as the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Pantoja’s title defense against Royval at UFC 296.
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MMA Junkie
THE CO-MAIN EVENT IS HERE!
Alexandre Pantoja defends his title against Brandon Royval. Who you got? #UFC296 | Full coverage: https://t.co/BjkSdOwAxh pic.twitter.com/M9mGXELJrP
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
UFC
Ready for revenge!@BrandonRoyval coming to get his loss back, AND the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/VrSbFaycQO
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
UFC
Making hist first UFC title defense! 🏆@PantojaMMA looking to go 2-0 against Brandon Royval tonight at #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/lB5ArW0h2r
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
UFC
Here we go… your #UFC296 co-main event starts NOW!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/C1TICVoC05
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Kevin Iole
Takedown by Pantoja in center of Octagon
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) December 17, 2023
Dan Tom
There’s the right hand counter stings I was talking about but Royval seems fine now
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) December 17, 2023
Alexander K Lee
Pantoja very, very high on the list of fighters I'd least liked to be locked into a cage with #UFC296
— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee) December 17, 2023
Fight Ghost
Pantoja -600 entering round 3, live wagering #UFC296
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) December 17, 2023
Kevin Iole
Pantoja takes him down again. Wow
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) December 17, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
These guys are putting on for the flyweights! #UFC296
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 17, 2023
Walt Harris
Pantoja 2-0 at the moment… Brandon should just box him up nix the kicks! #UFC296
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) December 17, 2023
Aiemann Zahabi
Pantoja is a cardio machine tonight #UFC296
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) December 17, 2023
Megan Anderson
UFC
Our co-main is headed to championship rounds!
Who's winning on your scorecards? 📝 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/8BSbbL6y4m
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Arnold Allen
4 an 5 gonna be interesting, Royvals pushing a mad pace but gotta stop these tds #UFC296
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) December 17, 2023
Nazim Sadykhov
Pantoja’s takedowns 🔥🔥🔥 #UFC296
— Nazim Sadykhov (@naz_mma) December 17, 2023
Ben Askren
Pantojas top control is so freaking smooth!!
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 17, 2023
Aiemann Zahabi
3-1 for Pantoja going into round 5
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) December 17, 2023
Max Griffin
This is a hella good fight!! #UFC296
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) December 17, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
Both men exhausted. Pantoja probably up 4-0. Royval needs something big here if he wants to pull the upset. RD 5, let’s go!!#UFC296
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 17, 2023
Alan Jouban
Why is Pantoja not using his left hand? #UFC296
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 17, 2023
John Makdessi
This fight reminds me of a Rocky movie. #UFC296
— John Wayne Makdessi (@JohnMakdessi) December 17, 2023
Charles Johnson
I’m the best 5 round flyweight in the world ! I would’ve finish him Pantone this round no doubt!
Time to put some wins together go on a win streak.
— Charles "InnerG" Johnson (@InnerGmma) December 17, 2023
Javid Basharat
Pantoja is one of my favourite fighters but I’m telling you @AmirAlbazi is the uncrowned champ! #UFC296
— Javid Basharat (@JavidBasharat) December 17, 2023
UFC
25 minutes in the books!
Pantoja and Royval go the distance as we head to the judges' scorecards #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/EohKPQ7jX8
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Arnold Allen
Good job by Pantoja 👏🏼 #UFC296
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) December 17, 2023
Movsar Evloev
Big congrats to my teammate Pantoja on successfully defending your title! #ATT #UFC296
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) December 17, 2023
UFC
PANTOJA KEEPS THE FLYWEIGHT THRONE!@PantojaMMA defeats Brandon Royval by unanimous decision and defends his flyweight title!
[ #UFC296 | B2YB @Manscaped ] pic.twitter.com/bxcpvQJYGk
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
MMA Junkie
#UFC296 results: Alexandre Pantoja (@PantojaMMA) def. Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45-49-46) – to defend flyweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/BjkSdOwAxh pic.twitter.com/aEv15jFWNo
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
UFC
#AndSTILL the world flyweight champion!! 🏆@PantojaMMA takes the decision over Brandon Royval in our #UFC296 co-main pic.twitter.com/TcLFBKTAkA
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
UFC
Before celebrating with his team, Alexandre Pantoja congratulates Brandon Royval on a hard fight 👏 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/5nXby3I5yU
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
