Considering where Pantoja has previously found success in this series, no one should be shocked if the Brazilian challenger elects to engage in grappling exchanges.
Forgot how good the legwork was between Pantoja and Royval throughout the initial minutes of the 1st round… the leg lock attempt/entanglement from Royval is fun, but man do I appreciate what Pantoja is trying to do prior with influential insteps and vines as he goes for the back pic.twitter.com/yNnwqvBPtc
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) January 13, 2022
Despite not officially working on his wrestling until teaming up with Henry Cejudo post-“TUF,” Pantoja has always been a dangerous threat from bodylock positions.
Parlaying off of his previously mentioned clinch striking, Pantoja is quick to lock his hand around his opposition and shuck them off to a side whenever possible.
Displaying good cage awareness, Pantoja wastes little time when it comes to wedging himself in between the fence and the back of his opposition. And once Pantoja is able to get the slightest bite on a position, the Shooto Brazil vet will jump at the opportunity to shift the fight’s dynamic.
Royval is far from a slouch on the floor, but I’ll be curious how he approaches the grappling this time around.
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in his own right, Royval is an opportunistic submission threat who isn’t afraid to play in the proverbial dirt.
Whether he’s operating off his back or seeking out fight-ending submissions in scrambles, Royval is constantly looking to capitalize in the chaos. That said, Royval does have the propensity to allow for back exposure in said scrambles given his love for tactics like granby rolls.
And as we saw in their first encounter, Pantoja doesn’t need much to get going in that department.
Even though the grappling exchanges in this series haven’t been prolonged, there’s no denying the distinct edge that Pantoja holds over most competitors in his class.
In victory or defeat, seldom will you see anyone get to Pantoja’s back or put him in precarious submission threats. In fact, the 15-year pro has a knack for turning negative positions around through his superb scrambling ability.
Pantoja is a demon of a scrambler, at his best he’s up there with guys like Benavidez.
Always fighting grips, never allows himself to be flat on the floor, conscious of what openings his decision are creating and he addresses them proactively. pic.twitter.com/bv3Cktphfh— Feño 🏴 (@fenoxsky) July 5, 2023
Pantoja, who has incredible transitional instincts and chair sits, should also have an edge when it comes to finding the back. And if Pantoja ends up on top, the American Top Team rep has some fantastic ground striking that’s not talked about enough.
Like a snake striking its prey on the nature channel, Pantoja possesses incredible accuracy and pop to the punches that slightly arc around his opponent’s guard.
Alexandre Pantoja ground-and-pound 🤌 pic.twitter.com/2zBacuyt9I
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) July 5, 2023
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie