Joshua Van has stated he does not believe Alexandre Pantoja's injury during their fight was accidental or lucky. Van explained that Pantoja threw a low kick immediately, and when he attempted another kick, Van caught the leg and pushed him, which is when Pantoja broke his arm. Van expressed interest in a rematch with Pantoja once he recovers from the injury, but emphasized he does not plan to wait indefinitely. The new champion stated his intention to remain an active champion and continue fighting through the division rather than sitting idle waiting for Pantoja's return.
Joshua Van pushed back on any suggestion that Alexandre Pantoja's arm injury during their flyweight title fight came down to fortune, insisting the sequence of events was a direct result of his own read on the action.
The 24-year-old champion from Myanmar, fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club, now carries a 17-2-0 record and holds the UFC Flyweight title after the stoppage. Van lands an exceptional 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most efficient offensive weapons in the division. He explained that Pantoja threw a low kick early in the exchange, and when the former champion attempted a second, Van caught the leg and applied pressure — the moment Pantoja's arm broke.
Pantoja, a 36-year-old Brazilian and former champion training out of American Top Team, entered the contest ranked first in the flyweight division and fourth pound-for-pound with a 30-6-0 record. Known for his takedown output of 2.8 per fifteen minutes and one submission attempt per fifteen minutes, The Cannibal had built his championship run on relentless forward pressure and grappling volume.
Van acknowledged he is open to a rematch once Pantoja has fully recovered, but made clear he will not put his career on hold waiting for that opportunity. The new champion stated his priority is to stay active and work through the flyweight division rather than sit on the sideline.
Why it matters
- Van's willingness to fight on rather than wait could open the door for other contenders to jump the queue for a title shot
- Pantoja at 30-6-0 and ranked number one remains the most credible rematch option, but his recovery timeline is uncertain
- The style contrast is sharp — Van's elite striking volume against Pantoja's grappling-heavy approach sets up a compelling second meeting if and when it happens
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
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