Former UFC Champion Alexandre Pantoja Avoids Surgery After Injury

Former UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja will not require surgery on his arm following a serious injury sustained during UFC 323. The incident occurred during his title fight against Joshua Van on December 9, 2023, where Pantoja attempted a head kick that led to a dislocated elbow. Despite initial fears of a lengthy recovery, Pantoja’s recent training footage suggests a quicker return to the octagon than anticipated.

In the opening moments of the co-main event in Las Vegas, Pantoja executed a head kick, but Van caught his leg, causing the champion to fall awkwardly. As he tried to brace himself, his left arm gave way, resulting in a dislocated elbow that forced him to withdraw from the match. Following the fight, reactions from fans and the MMA community highlighted the severity of the injury, sparking concerns about Pantoja’s career.

Despite the grim prognosis, the former champion shared a remarkable update this week. He posted training videos showing him sparring without any visible support for his injured arm. Esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported that Pantoja’s medical team confirmed he will not require surgery. “Just the tendons were affected—no fractures, ligaments are intact, no surgery,” Helwani stated during his 2025 MMA Awards show. His team is optimistic about a return, likely in mid to late 2026.

Fans expressed their surprise and relief at the news. Comments on social media reflected a mix of excitement and disbelief, with many underscoring how fortunate Pantoja is to avoid surgery. “That’s great for him and honestly surprising. I thought he’d for sure need surgery,” one fan remarked, while another simply stated, “Lucky guy.”

Pantoja, now 35 years old, previously held the UFC flyweight title for over two years, having claimed the championship in July 2023 after defeating Brandon Moreno. He defended the title four times before losing to Van, who became the second-youngest champion and the first fighter born in the 2000s to win a UFC title.

In the immediate aftermath of UFC 323, Van expressed his willingness to face Pantoja again, but he likely will defend his title first against a top-ranked contender, such as Manel Kape or Tatsuro Taira. As Pantoja continues his rehabilitation, both fans and fighters alike await his comeback, hopeful for a highly anticipated rematch in the future.