‘Lucky guy’ – Former UFC champion avoids surgery after gruesome injury as comeback timeline revealed

Jan 5, 2026 - 21:45

Alexandre Pantoja will not require surgery on his arm following a horrible injury at UFC 323.

After holding the UFC flyweight title for more than two years, Pantoja dropped the belt to Joshua Van on December 9.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Joshua Van of Myanmar wrestles Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) — Van caught Pantoja’s head kick in the first 30 seconds of their title fight in December

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil is injured in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) — The champion tried to break his fall with his arm, but it instantly gave way and the fight was all but over

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil reacts to his injury in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) — Pantoja was understandably devastated after the defeat, but his return now looks to come sooner than expected

In the opening sequence of the Las Vegas co-main event, Pantoja attempted a head kick on Van, but the challenger caught his effort and left the champion dangling in mid-air.

‘The Cannibal’ went crashing into the canvas, and as he went to break his landing, his left arm snapped and he could no longer continue the fight.

Pantoja suffered a dislocated elbow, and several members of the MMA world believed he faced a long spell on the sidelines.

However, the former champion stunned fans this week when he posted training footage back in the gym, sparring with no cast or any support for his injured arm.

View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC323?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has now, incredibly, reported that Pantoja will not require surgery on his arm and could be back much sooner than expected.

Alexandre Pantoja hoping to return mid-to-late 2026

“This is according to his team,” Helwani announced during his 2025 MMA Awards show on Monday.

“Alexandre Pantoja will not need surgery. I have been told he will not need surgery.

“Just the tendons were affected – no fractures, ligaments are intact, no surgery.

“[They’re] hoping he will return maybe mid to third quarter of 2026.”

MMA fans were shocked to learn Pantoja could make a return in record-breaking time.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil looks on prior to a flyweight title bout against Joshua Van of Myanmar during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

But the 35-year-old is already back in training and does not require surgery[/caption]

Responding to the news, one fan wrote on X: “That’s great for him and honestly surprising. I thought he’d for sure need surgery.”

Another added: “Lucky guy.”

While a third said: “Good to hear!”

Pantoja won flyweight gold by outpointing Brandon Moreno in July 2023 and defended the belt four times.

He was an overwhelming favourite before he came face-to-face with Van, who subsequently became the second-youngest champion and first fighter born in the 2000s to win a title in UFC history.

Van stated in the immediate aftermath of UFC 323 that he is more than willing to give Pantoja his rematch.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06:Joshua Van of Myanmar reacts to his TKO win in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) — Van is the current UFC flyweight champion

However, the Southeast Asian native likely faces an initial first title defence against a top-ranked 125lbs fighter, such as Manel Kape or Tatsuro Taira, first and foremost.