As he gears up for his first title defense at UFC 296, Alexandre Pantoja is set to face Brandon Royval in a highly anticipated rematch.
Their previous encounter in 2021 ended with Pantoja securing a victory through a Rear Naked Choke, a moment he describes as “a work of art”.
And, well, he has a peculiar approach to this technique…
Preferring to execute it with his eyes closed.
Pantoja, speaking on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast, shared more about his unique approach to the RNC:
I usually do this move with my eyes closed because I already know where to go, and when I close my eyes my senses are more keen to do this move, you know? It’s natural.
I’ve done Jiu-Jitsu for such a long time, and when I’m on the back I really close my eyes to feel every single muscle [of my opponent] moving, and I already know where to go. Seeing things really does more harm that good.
I think it’s pretty natural, really.
It’s all about taking the back and finishing the fight from there for Pantoja:
I don’t know if I have to train more Armbars and Triangle Chokes or something else, but it’s more of me wanting to take the back all the time and seeing it as an easy position for me.
