Seasoned fight fans scanning the fight card ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 23 in South Korea will have circled the flyweight clash between Alexandre Pantoja and Matt Schnell as one to keep a close eye on. And the two Top 10 125-pounders delivered a crazy back-and-forth slugfest that eventually ended with a huge first-round knockout victory for Pantoja as the Brazilian staked a spectacular claim for a shot at the UFC flyweight title. The bout opened up with a wild striking exchange between the pair before the pace settled and the two fighters looked to work an opening for their strikes. Clearly, takedowns and grappling were secondary to the gameplans of both men as they planted their feet and swung for the fences, and Pantojoa hit paydirt with a huge right hand that sent Schnell face-planting into the canvas as referee Marc Goddard dived in to end the contest at the 4:17 mark
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Alexandre Pantoja makes flyweight title statement with huge KO at UFC on ESPN+ 23 – MMA Junkie