Alexandre Pantoja is no longer the flyweight champion, and it could not have happened in a more tragic manner.

During his co-main event showdown against Joshua Van at Saturday’s UFC 323, “The Cannibal” had a high kick caught. Pantoja tried to prevent a takedown, fell on his arm, and it snapped. As a result, “The Fearless” became the first person born in the current millennium to win a title.

The horrific injury, meanwhile, has cast serious doubt on Pantoja’s fighting future. Once he becomes ready to return and decides to keep fighting, however, he has two possible paths.

Option 1: Flyweight Title Rematch

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Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Joshua Van (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Van’s first challenge is expected to come from Tatsuro Taira, who pounded out former champion Brandon Moreno a fight before the co-main. That, however, does not preclude Pantoja from getting an immediate title shot in his return bout.

Executives had been hoping that Van would win to refresh the flyweight title picture, but they may be disappointed that it ended the way it did. A Pantoja rematch, should Van still have the belt by then, will definitely be bigger than it would have been under normal circumstances.

For Pantoja, it will be a chance to prove that the first result was a fluke and regain his throne. For Van, it will be a chance to silence the detractors who think he got lucky and validate his reign.

Option 2: Bantamweight Move

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Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Petr Yan (red gloves) before his fight against Sean O’Malley (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

In the main event of UFC 323, Petr Yan avenged a prior loss to Merab Dvalishvili to regain the bantamweight title. This victory has created a shakeup in the division’s title picture, and while Pantoja has expressed disinterest before, he may change his mind after Saturday.

At 35 years of age, “The Cannibal” is among flyweight’s oldest fighters, and the weight cut may eventually prove too taxing for Pantoja. He already has a compatriot as a precedent: Deiveson Figueiredo, who has become a top contender since going 10 pounds north.

End Of My Alexandre Pantoja Rant

Most, if not all, fighters carry a stigma that suffering an injury during a fight is not the way to end their careers. Anderson Silva pressed on after horrifically breaking his leg during his rematch with Chris Weidman. Eventually, so did Weidman after suffering the same fate against Uriah Hall.

Pantoja is surely carrying the same mindset right now. This was not how he envisioned his reign ending, and the next step in his career will be the most important.