UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van expressed frustration on social media about the delay in scheduling his first title defense. The 24-year-old champion has maintained an active schedule since joining the UFC in 2023 and collected three wins in less than four months to earn his title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. Pantoja suffered an arm injury just 26 seconds into their fight in December, and the UFC may be waiting for the former champion's return rather than immediately booking Van's next defense. If the UFC doesn't wait for Pantoja, #2-ranked Manel Kape appears to be the frontrunner for the next flyweight title shot after his recent win streak.
Joshua Van took to social media this week to voice his frustration over the UFC's slow movement on booking his first flyweight title defense, publicly questioning whether the promotion expects him to sit idle for the better part of a year.
Van, 24, captured the flyweight championship at UFC 323 in December, stopping former champion Alexandre Pantoja after Pantoja suffered an arm injury just 26 seconds into the fight. The Myanmar-born finisher carries a 17-2 record and fights out of 4oz. Fight Club. Since joining the UFC in 2023, he has been relentlessly active, rattling off three wins in under four months to earn his title opportunity. His output inside the octagon is striking — he lands 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy, numbers that place him among the most prolific offensive flyweights on the roster.
Pantoja, the man Van dethroned, holds a 30-6 record and is ranked first in the division, with a pound-for-pound ranking of fourth in the world. The 36-year-old Brazilian is a dangerous all-around threat, averaging 2.8 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes. The UFC appears to be weighing whether to wait for Pantoja's arm to heal before scheduling a rematch, which would explain the timeline that has clearly tested Van's patience.
Should the promotion bypass a rematch for now, sixth-ranked Manel Kape has emerged as a leading contender. The 32-year-old from Angola carries a 23-7 record and trains out of Xtreme Couture. Fighting out of a southpaw stance with a 68-inch reach — three inches longer than Van's 65-inch reach — Kape brings a distinct physical and stylistic profile to the matchup conversation.
Why it matters
- Van's title reign remains without a defense, creating uncertainty at the top of a competitive division
- A Pantoja rematch would be the marquee option but hinges entirely on the former champion's recovery timeline
- Kape's recent momentum and reach advantage make him a credible alternative if the UFC moves on without Pantoja
- The flyweight division's depth means prolonged inactivity from the champion risks disrupting ranking order
