Alexandre Pantoja coach touts ‘Pantoja 2.0’ ahead of UFC 331

Alexandre Pantoja's coaching staff believes the former UFC flyweight champion is primed for a dominant return when he faces Joshua Van in a UFC 331 title rematch on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Pantoja lost his 125-pound belt to Van at UFC 323 in March after suffering an arm injury just seconds into their fight. Van caught Pantoja's kick, and as the Brazilian fell to the canvas, he awkwardly landed on his forearm, forcing the referee to stop the bout. It was a devastating end to what had been a dominant title reign, but American Top Team strength and conditioning coach Everton Oliveira reports the injury did not derail Pantoja's development.

Despite the severity of the injury, Pantoja did not require surgery. According to Oliveira, the fighter began physical therapy the following week and made such impressive progress that he could have returned by May had the UFC needed him. The extended recovery period, however, may work in Pantoja's favor heading into the rematch. Oliveira believes the time away has only intensified the former champion's motivation while allowing him to reach peak physical and technical condition.

"Before the injury, during his last camp, he was already going through the best phase of his career," Oliveira said. "This time away from training only increased his motivation. I'm excited to see this Pantoja 2.0 turbo version, with a performance above his normal level. He's more mature and at his physical and technical prime."

With nearly eight months to prepare for the rematch, Pantoja enters as a fighter seeking redemption against the man who ended his title reign on an unfortunate technicality.