New flyweight champion Joshua Van has rejected suggestions that Alexandre Pantoja's arm injury was mere luck or accident. Van explained that Pantoja threw an aggressive low kick immediately, and when he attempted a second kick, Van caught the leg and pushed him, resulting in the broken arm. Van expressed interest in a rematch with Pantoja once he heals, but emphasized he does not want to wait indefinitely. The new champion stated his desire to be an active titleholder and fight everyone in the division, signaling his readiness to move on to the next challenger if necessary. Van's comments suggest he views the injury as a direct result of the exchange rather than a fluke occurrence.
Joshua Van pushed back on any suggestion that fortune played a defining role in his flyweight title victory over Alexandre Pantoja, offering a direct account of how the injury occurred during their recent championship bout.
The 24-year-old from Myanmar, now 17-2 and carrying the flyweight belt into his corner for the first time, described the sequence in precise terms. Pantoja immediately threw a low kick early in the exchange, and when he attempted a second, Van caught the leg and shoved him away. That moment, Van argued, produced the broken arm — a consequence of the action, not a random accident.
Van, who trains out of 4oz. Fight Club and fights out of an orthodox stance, has been one of the most prolific strikers in the division. He lands an exceptional 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect an aggressive, high-output style that put constant pressure on his opponents well before the injury changed the contest.
Pantoja, 36, entered the fight as the reigning champion and ranked fourth pound-for-pound. The Brazilian carries a record of 30-6 and has long been regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 2.8 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside his striking output. His status made Van's victory all the more significant, regardless of how the finish arrived.
Van said he remains open to a rematch once Pantoja recovers, but made clear he has no intention of sitting idle in the meantime. He wants to fight regularly and work through the division's contenders, signaling he will move forward if a Pantoja return takes too long to materialize.
Why it matters
- Van's version of events reframes the finish as a competitive consequence rather than a fluke, which matters for how his reign is perceived.
- A potential rematch with Pantoja, the number-one ranked flyweight, would be one of the division's most anticipated cards.
- Van's stated desire to stay active could accelerate the timeline for other top flyweights hoping to challenge for the belt.
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
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