​Alexandre
Pantoja claims he’s fully recovered from his arm injury and is
raring to return to action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The former UFC flyweight champion is set to challenge Joshua Van
for the title in a rematch at UFC
331 in Los Angeles on Sept. 19. Pantoja says he has fully
recovered from the injury that occurred in their first meeting,
crediting his mindset during the recovery and rehabilitation
process.Alexandre Pantoja details recovery ahead of Joshua Van rematch
at UFC 331
Pantoja was a massive favorite going into their first bout in
December last year. However, the fight ended anticlimactically as
the Brazilian suffered an elbow injury while bracing for a fall
after his head-kick was caught by Van. “The Cannibal” recently
revealed that he returned to training just days after suffering the
injury and remained focused on recovery.
“The first 20 minutes after my injury are the worst,” Pantoja said
in a recent interview. “But after that I realized what opportunity
I have. I know in the second after that I need to recover. I don’t
have time to lose. Two days after my injury, after my fight, I’m
back to the gym. I’m starting to make a physiotherapy; I start to
lift it with just one arm and this gives me a lot of
motivation.”
Despite how their first fight ended, Pantoja acknowledges Van as
the champ after the latter defended the belt in emphatic fashion
against Tatsuro
Taira.
“I like to see he got a title defense before we fight because this
makes it more real,” Pantoja added. “He’s the champion of the world
now. It’s for real.””I want to show everybody I am
the best.”
Fully healed from his injury, Alexandre
Pantoja (@Pantojamma) is
ready to reclaim his throne at #CryptoCom#UFC331
More on Pantoja ➡️ https://t.co/kn9hIOg3HZpic.twitter.com/MYi6svvioC— UFC News
(@UFCNews)
September 16, 2026