Joshua Van says Alexandre Pantoja is his next opponent

Flyweight champion Joshua Van has publicly named Alexandre Pantoja as his next opponent, signaling that a rematch between the two is on the horizon.

Van, known as "The Fearless," holds the flyweight title at just 24 years old, making him one of the youngest champions in the division's history. The Myanmar-born fighter out of 4oz. Fight Club carries a 17-2 record and has demonstrated elite offensive output, landing an extraordinary 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate. His aggressive, high-volume striking style has defined his rise to the top of the 125-pound division.

Pantoja, meanwhile, enters this potential rematch as the number-one ranked flyweight and the fourth-ranked fighter pound-for-pound. The Brazilian veteran, now 36, trains out of American Top Team and has built a 30-6 record over a long and decorated career. Known as "The Cannibal," Pantoja brings a well-rounded threat with 2.8 takedowns per 15 minutes and one submission attempt per 15 minutes, giving him a meaningful grappling edge over the champion on paper. His reach of 67 inches also gives him a two-inch advantage over Van.

Van made clear he took exception to some of Pantoja's recent public comments, framing the rematch as a way to resolve any lingering disputes between the two fighters. No official date or location for the bout has been announced.

Why it matters

• Van and Pantoja represent the two best flyweights in the world, and a rematch would be among the division's most significant fights in recent memory
• A win for Van would further cement his reign at the top of the division; a Pantoja victory would reclaim the belt and validate his standing as the true standard-bearer at 125 pounds
• The stylistic contrast is sharp, with Van's elite striking volume set against Pantoja's grappling-heavy, submission-oriented approach