Alexandre Pantoja is back in the gym less than one month after he suffered a visibly gruesome arm injury and lost UFC flyweight gold as a result.
Not only is Pantoja (30-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC) doing strength and conditioning, he’s back to combat sports training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., according to a video he posted Sunday on Instagram.
Pantoja, 35, suffered a left elbow injury when then-challenger Joshua Van caught a kick and dumped the Brazilian to the canvas. The sequence ended the bout just 26 seconds into the highly-anticipated Dec. 6 title fight at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. As a result, Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) won the title.
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As Pantoja planted his arm down, it hyperextended in the wrong direction, leading many experts to believe it was a dislocation. Shortly after the injury, Pantoja vowed to come back stronger. His timetable to return is still unknown.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Former UFC champ already back in gym after gruesome injury
