The new UFC champion: I was working as an Uber driver before I won the title

New UFC flyweight champion Alessandre Pantoya has opened up about the struggles on his way to winning the title in the world's most elite MMA organization. The Brazilian defeated Brandon Moreno at last weekend's UFC 290 event to become the new king of the 57 pounds division.

In a post fight episode of "The MMA Hour," he talked about the time during the Covid pandemic that he had to work as a driver in Florida to make ends meet while preparing for a UFC fight. What's more, Pantoya had to send his wife and children back to Brazil because he wasn't making enough money to support them.

My wife cleaned houses and I drove Uber,  because we had no  money. I will do it again if I have to. It's not just about me, it's about my wife and my two boys,  says the champion. In his next fight, Pantoya earned a $50,000 bonus for the win over Brandon Royval. One week before the fight with Royval, I got sick while delivering food with Uber Eats. I was freaking out because if I had Covid there was no way I could fight and pay my bills.

When I stepped on the scale, I thanked God because I was not only sick, but I also had torn ligaments in my knee. However, I fought and after I was paid, I knew I had enough for another six months. With the bonus, I could undergo an operation and take a few months to recover," reveals the Brazilian.