Alexandre Pantoja’s fifth flyweight title defense was a first-rate example of the unpredictability of MMA.
Despite what many believed the difficulty was, it has been reported that Pantoja suffered a shoulder injury within the co-main event of UFC 323.
His fight with Joshua Van was waved off just 26 seconds into the primary round after it became immediately clear that the defending champion was compromised.
While Dominick Cruz believes that the referee stepped in too early, these sorts of freak accidents are all the time a possibility, even at the very best level of competition.
That being said, there are only two UFC title fights which have led to the identical abrupt and disappointing manner.
- LATEST NEWS: Sean O’Malley thinks he’s in line for the ‘biggest bantamweight fight in history’ after UFC 323
Should fights like this be a no-contest?
Alexandre Pantoja lost his flyweight title because of an arm injury just 26 seconds into his fight with Joshua Van at UFC 323.
Anderson Silva was involved in two UFC title fights that ended abruptly because of injuries
Joe Rogan showed immediate concern for Alexandre Pantoja after the flyweight champion’s shocking injury ended his title defense before 30 seconds had passed.
While we recently saw Tom Aspinall’s fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 end because of eye pokes, UFC 323 was a special scenario.
A title fight being immediately ended because of an unlucky circumstance that wasn’t an eye-related injury (pokes, cuts, swelling) has only happened two previous times.
Each of those instances that share a resemblance to what happened within the co-main event on December 6 involve the legendary former UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva.
What’s the worst injury you’ve seen in a UFC fight?
Tell us within the comments which injury contained in the Octagon was the toughest to look at.
Join the talk; share your insight. Use the comment button on the underside left to have your say
At UFC 90 in 2008, ‘The Spider’ looked to make his fourth title defense when facing off with Patrick Cote.
The fight, which was already not living as much as expectations because of Silva’s reserved approach, led to the third round after Cote landed awkwardly after throwing a kick, collapsing to the canvas after an injury to his right knee.
Five years later, once Silva’s iconic reign had already ended, the Brazilian’s try and reclaim the belt in a rematch with Chris Weidman resulted in some of the memorable and gruesome injuries of all time.
A checked kick from Weidman resulted in a horrific leg break, with Silva’s return ending with questions regarding whether he’d have the ability to make a full recovery and reclaim his spot at the highest.
- LATEST NEWS: Dana White responds after being publicly called out by Tom Aspinall for his response to the attention poke
Alexandre Pantoja can draw inspiration from fighters who’ve achieved incredible things after significant setbacks
Anderson Silva was never capable of reclaim the middleweight title after the leg injury that he suffered in his rematch with Chris Weidman at UFC 168.
Nonetheless, there are many other examples that Alexandre Pantoja can look to when trying to find inspiration during his road to recovery.
Dominick Cruz often is the best example of this, having had his profession significantly impacted by various injuries despite him having the ability to come back and win the bantamweight title after being forced to vacate it.
Michael Bisping defied the chances to turn out to be UFC middleweight champion despite his significant vision issues.
There’s even an example amongst current champions, with heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall questioning his future in the game after a devastating leg injury only to return and turn out to be a champion.
Join the talk; share your insight. Use the comment button on the underside left to have your say