Pantoja smothers Royval to retain UFC flyweight title

Alexandre Pantoja is still the best flyweight in the UFC.

Pantoja defeated Brandon Royval via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) to retain the 125-pound title for the first time in the UFC 296 co-main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This was a rematch of a 2021 non-title bout in which Pantoja submitted Royval in the second round.

Pantoja's relentless grappling attack is what secured him a second victory over Royval, as he converted six of 12 takedown attempts throughout five rounds.

It was a much different performance than what Pantoja displayed in his title win against former two-time champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July. Pantoja and Moreno slugged it out primarily on the feet in a Fight of the Year candidate.

"This fight, maybe it's too boring," Pantoja said in his postfight interview. "I don't like to do that fight."

Regardless, Pantoja proved he is a worthy champion in his first title defense. Pantoja easily got Royval to the ground throughout the fight and smothered him with top control. Pantoja attempted a rear-naked choke in the fourth round but Royval defended it.

Pantoja is now riding a five-fight winning streak. The 33-year-old Brazilian hasn't lost a fight since July 2020.

Royval, competing in his first UFC title bout, saw his three-fight winning streak end. "Raw Dog" earned a title shot by knocking out Matheus Nicolau in April. This was the 31-year-old's first defeat since August 2021.