By: Pankti Parmar Image credit: UFC
The evening of UFC 290 was an eventful night for the fighters who gave it their all and took home great memories. Alexandre Pantoja took home the flyweight belt after beating Brandon Moreno.
Pantoja, the UFC flyweight champion, has been through tough times to reach the pedestal he is on today. He worked as an Uber Eats driver for just two years before he got a shot at the title.
With a record of 26-5, Pantoja lost to Aksar Askarov in Abu Dhabi. This, with other factors, put him in a severe financial crisis. As per to the situation, he had to send his wife and kid back home.
Due to poor financial conditions, Pantoja worked as an Uber Eats Driver. He was doing this stint even days before he was set to clash against Brandon Royval in August 2021.
But conditions improved for the UFC Flyweight after he defeated Manel Kape via decision in February 2021. But even after that, both he and his wife had to work day in and day out to make ends meet.
"I used the money as a down payment for the house, and bringing my family back was the most important for myself. My wife started to clean houses, and I started to drive Uber Eats."
The fighter worked hard to make ends meet for his kids until he won against Royval and bagged the 'Performance of the Night, which proved to be a pivotal point in his life. He got $50,000.
"But I’d do this again if I needed, you know? It’s not just about myself; this is about my family and my kids, my two boys." said Pantoja. He also said his family is the most important thing to him.
“How TF Is a Ranked UFC Fighter Driving Uber Eats” – Alexandre Pantoja Struggled to Feed His Wife and Children Two Fights Before Winning the Flyweight Championship