Alexandre Pantoja made a successful defense of his belt against Brandon Royval at UFC 296 last Saturday. And although “The Cannibal” is happy to take the money and the success from the fight, he feels pity toward the challenger who “worked so hard to [get] to that moment.”
The two fought in a rematch last weekend, with Royval making his attempt to take the title away from Pantoja. “Raw Dawg” first faced the Brazilian in August 2021 but lost. Now, the fighter obtained his second defeat from the champ. And while some might see this as something that would make Pantoja proud, the champion feels something else.
“He’s a very nice kid. He worked so hard to [get] to that moment,” Pantoja told The MMA Hour. “Maybe people think I’m [full of] s*** right now, but I’m very sad for Royval. He worked so hard for that moment. I know it’s not just about Royval. He has a lot of people on his side. I lost a couple times, and when I lose, my family loses with me, my kids lose with me. It’s not just about one guy; it’s about all people together, trying to get a dream.”
Despite that, Pantoja knows it is part of his sport, where one will win and the other will lose. With this, the champ knows there is nothing else to do but show gratitude and keep winning until he gets enough victories to compensate for all his efforts to prosper his career.
“It’s really hard to do that with someone. You break his heart, but that’s my sport. I love what I do. I love to fight,” said Pantoja. “If Royval watches this, I want to say thank you to Royval. A lot of respect to him. He gave a wonderful fight and I love that guy.
“Maybe people will think I’m talking bulls***, but that’s how I feel. It’s a very dangerous sport. He lost to me two years ago. He worked so hard: three victories, he was so prepared to fight with me again. But I have my history; I have my legacy to create. I have my kids to take care of, my family to provide for. I have a long journey — 33 [fights] right now, 16-year professional fight [career], and now I can get some money for that. That’s my climb up the mountain, and I need to still climb. I’m not going to stop right now. I need to take this money. I want to retire with good money. I’m not tired.”
