UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has come a long way since the last two years when he had to work as a delivery guy for Uber Eats. Ahead of his third title defense, fans came across a post on social media highlighting his journey from being a delivery guy to becoming the best 125-er. What should have been a post to recall Pantoja’s journey ended up with the fans pointing their fingers at Dana White.

A couple of years ago, Alexandre Pantoja was struggling financially as he wanted to bring his family to US soil. He has been quite vocal about his past working for Uber Eats. “When my family was back, the money was short, and my wife started to clean houses, and I started to drive Uber. But I’d do this again if I need … This is about my kids, my two boys,” ‘The Cannibal’ told Ariel Helwani last year.

However, fast forward two years later, Alexandre Pantoja not only became champion but has two successful title defenses to his name as well. Despite the tough gigs he had to do during his difficult times, ‘The Cannibal’ didn’t let that affect his fighting career. So far, the Brazilian star has amassed an incredible 28-wins-and-5-losses record, and currently, he’s on a 6-fight winning streak as well.

However, it’s important to note that when he was working as an Uber Eats driver, Alexandre Pantoja already had 13 UFC fights to his name. He debuted in 2017 but earned a contract after his appearances on The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. So this came as a shock to many people when made those revelations. And guess what? The UFC fans laid a lot of emphasis on this issue and sounded off on Dana White and Co. for the ongoing issue with fighter pay.

Fans slam Dana White after recalling Alexandre Pantoja’s struggles

A lot of fans believe that getting signed by the UFC solves all financial problems for any fighter, given that it’s the biggest MMA organization in the world. However, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows as we’ve learnt about Alexandre Pantoja. Some fans pointed out that instead of celebrating the tough road that ‘The Cannibal’ has traveled to make it to the top, they believe it is important to point out Dana White’s poor pay structure for a fighter, Pantoja, who had been competing in his promotion for years. A couple of fans stated, “Are the ufc not embarrassed to know that their fighters had to work another job to sustain their lives? yet they post it,”and, “Way to romanticize the fact that the UFC pays their fighters very low,” in that regard.

On the other hand, there was a heavy out-pour of love and support for Alexandre Pantoja from fans who believe that his success story is nothing less than “inspirational,” to say the last. Some fans even went on to claim the Brazilian as one of the best flyweights in UFC history. “My brother, he’s the Division GOAT,” one fan added.

At 34 years old, there isn’t much left for Pantoja to prove, and fans can see that as they claim that UFC 310’s result won’t matter as much because he’s already done what he had set out to do in the UFC. Another couple of fans commented, “Pantoja is a legend no matter the outcome, he’s already done so much and has earned everything,” and, “Great legacies always have great beginnings,” highlighting that sentiment.

The fact that his outside-the-Octagon struggles didn’t affect his business inside the cage seems to be something that Alexandre Pantoja has earned praise for. When one fan commented, “Consistency dedication and persistence will ALWAYS great winners,” it would be a reference to how he’s always managed to stay relevant and in the topic of conversation when it comes to the flyweight title scene today despite the financial struggles.

Do you agree with the fans when they pointed fingers at Dana White for Alexandre Pantoja’s situation a couple of years ago? Let us know in the comments down below.