Joshua Van does not consider Alexandre Pantoja's injury in their fight to be a coincidence or luck. Van explained that he expected a tough fight because Pantoja is very aggressive, and after Pantoja landed a low kick, Van caught Pantoja's leg on the next attempt, pushed him, and that's when Pantoja broke his arm. Van stated he wants a rematch with Pantoja but won't wait indefinitely while Pantoja recovers. He emphasized his desire to be an active champion and wants to move forward to the next opponent if necessary. The injury occurred early in what was expected to be a highly aggressive contest.
Joshua Van pushed back on any notion that Alexandre Pantoja's arm injury in their flyweight title fight came down to fortunate timing, insisting the sequence was the direct result of his own tactical awareness inside the cage.
Van, the 24-year-old flyweight champion from Myanmar, credited Pantoja's aggression for setting the moment in motion. After Pantoja landed a low kick, Van read the follow-up attempt, caught the leg, and pushed him forward — the force of that exchange leading to Pantoja breaking his arm. Van framed the finish not as a fluke but as a product of preparation against a fighter he fully expected to come forward hard from the opening bell.
The champion carries a 17-2 record and has been one of the most active strikers in the division, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy. Fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club, Van stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach and competes out of an orthodox stance.
Pantoja, ranked first in the flyweight division and fourth pound-for-pound, entered the contest with a 30-6 record and a reputation for persistent pressure. The 36-year-old Brazilian trains out of American Top Team and brings a two-inch reach advantage over Van at 67 inches. He averages 2.8 takedowns per 15 minutes and adds consistent submission threats, making him one of the more well-rounded challengers in the weight class.
Why it matters
- Van wants a rematch, keeping the door open for a high-profile title defense once Pantoja is healthy
- He also signaled he will not hold his schedule for the recovery, meaning another flyweight contender could earn the next shot
- The division's top ranking stays complicated with the pound-for-pound No. 4 sidelined and the champion eager to remain active
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
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