Joshua Van says Alexandre Pantoja is his next opponent

Joshua Van has publicly declared that Alexandre Pantoja is his next opponent, with the reigning flyweight champion indicating the matchup will serve as a rematch between the two fighters.

Van, nicknamed "The Fearless," holds the flyweight title and carries an impressive 17-2 record at just 24 years old. The Myanmar-born fighter trains out of 4oz. Fight Club and fights out of an orthodox stance. At five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, Van has built a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in the division, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate — numbers that rank among the elite at 125 pounds.

On the other side stands Alexandre Pantoja, nicknamed "The Cannibal," the number-one ranked flyweight contender and the fourth-ranked fighter pound-for-pound. The Brazilian veteran carries a 30-6 record and brings a wealth of experience at 36 years old, training out of American Top Team. Pantoja stands five-foot-five with a two-inch reach advantage at 67 inches, and he is a well-rounded threat, averaging 2.8 takedowns per 15 minutes and one submission attempt per 15 minutes. Van also took exception to certain recent comments made by Pantoja, framing the rematch as personal unfinished business.

No date or location for the bout has been announced.

Why it matters

• Van is the reigning flyweight champion, making this a title defense against the division's top-ranked contender
• A rematch adds extra stakes, with both fighters seeking definitive resolution to their rivalry
• The stylistic contrast is sharp — Van's elite striking output against Pantoja's wrestling and submission threat