Nine years ago at UFC Fight Night 113, Alexandre Pantoja secured his first UFC finish victory against Neil Seery. Pantoja locked in a rear-naked choke to get the stoppage win in just his second octagon appearance.
Nine years ago at UFC Fight Night 113, Alexandre Pantoja announced himself as a finishing threat in the octagon, submitting Neil Seery with a rear-naked choke in just his second UFC appearance.
Pantoja, now known as "The Cannibal," has grown into one of the sport's premier flyweights since that breakthrough performance. The 36-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of American Top Team, currently holds a 30-6-0 record and sits at the top of the flyweight divisional rankings, with a number four spot on the pound-for-pound list. His statistical profile reflects a well-rounded and relentless fighter, averaging 4.36 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while also threatening with takedowns at a rate of 2.8 per fifteen minutes.
Seery, nicknamed "2Tap," was a durable and active veteran of the flyweight division at the time of their meeting. The orthodox fighter stood five-foot-four with a 64-inch reach and brought a scrappy, grinding style to his UFC run. His career numbers show he averaged 3.56 significant strikes per minute with an active submission game, attempting submissions at a rate of 1.6 per fifteen minutes.
Why it matters
- The finish marked a turning point in Pantoja's early UFC career, demonstrating his submission ability alongside his striking
- Pantoja's rise from a second-fight finisher to the flyweight division's top-ranked contender underscores one of the more significant developmental arcs in the 125-pound weight class
- The rear-naked choke victory hinted at the grappling versatility that continues to define his game at the elite level
