{"id":36787,"date":"2026-02-12T18:11:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T18:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/ExChamp-Alexandre-Pantoja-Returns-to-Sparring-Targets-May-Comeback-200111"},"modified":"2026-02-12T18:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T18:11:05","slug":"ex-champ-alexandre-pantoja-returns-to-sparring-targets-may-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.martialartskleinanzeigen.com\/videos\/ex-champ-alexandre-pantoja-returns-to-sparring-targets-may-comeback\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Champ Alexandre Pantoja Returns to Sparring, Targets May Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n

Former
\nUltimate Fighting Championship<\/a> flyweight kingpin Alexandre
\nPantoja<\/a> is only a few short months away from returning to
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n

The second-longest reign of any UFC men\u2019s flyweight champion came
\nto an inglorious end at UFC 323 in December, when Pantoja\u2019s arm
\nsnapped early in what was to be his fifth consecutive title defense
\nagainst Joshua Van<\/a>.
\nThe Brazilian recovered apparently without requiring surgery to
\nrepair the damage, which included tendons and ligaments but no
\nfractured bone. Much has been speculated about his return to
\naction, and Sherdog spoke to Pantoja\u2019s chief coach at American Top
\nTeam, Marcos da
\nMatta<\/a>, about his top fighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did the first light sparring today,\u201d \u201cParrumpa\u201d revealed the
\ngood news on Tuesday. \u201cEverybody was able to see how hard the
\ninjury was, two months ago. But Pantoja is such a focused person,
\nhe worked hard to heal since day one. He can\u2019t wait to return and
\n[get a finish] against Joshua Van.\u201d<\/p>\n

You Bet I\u2019ll Be Coming Up in May<\/h2>\n

The coach was not so ebullient as to suggest that this spelled an
\nimmediate comeback, but instead noted that there is still plenty of
\nrecovery time left for Pantoja. \u201cParrumpa\u201d expects at least two
\nmonths more will be needed for the flyweight to regain full
\nstrength in his damaged limb, and plans on forcing the soon-to-be
\n36-year-old take as much time as he needs to get back to form.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he returns [in] May, the revenge must be done,\u201d the coach
\npitched. \u201cIn case he needs more time, probably [for the] UFC, I see
\n[Manel]\nKape<\/a> and [Tatsuro]\nTaira<\/a> with more chances to fight for the belt, with Kyoji
\n[Horiguchi]<\/a> coming in third place. The fact is that the same
\nway lightweight depends on [Ilia]\nTopuria<\/a>, flyweight depends on Pantoja.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flush with news about his fighters, coach da Matta could not help
\nbut reveal additional information about one of his other athletes
\nhe trains at ATT: Renato
\n\u201cMoney\u201d Moicano<\/a>. Per the ATT chief, \u201cMoicano\u201d will remain on
\nthe UFC 326 billing, giving credence to the unconfirmed reports
\nthat Esteban
\nRibovics<\/a> will step in to replace the injured Brian
\nOrtega<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Moicano\u2019 is in good shape. He is doing the same camp like Ortega
\ndid not withdraw. We talked to [UFC Chief Business Officer] Hunter
\n[Campbell] this week and UFC must decide his future [by] the end of
\nthe week. \u2018Moicano\u2019 is the [10th-ranked UFC lightweight]. He will
\nnot fight [just to fight], to get the paycheck. Also, he is coming
\n[off of] two defeats. He wants a fight that makes sense for this
\npoint of his career,\u201d \u201cParrumpa\u201d concluded.<\/p>\n