Joshua Van expressed surprise at Alexandre Pantoja's post-fight comments following their UFC 328 encounter. Van recounts that during the face-offs, he approached Pantoja to shake hands and exchange pleasantries, believing they were competitors rather than enemies. Van was shocked by Pantoja's statements after the fight, particularly regarding the injury that occurred. Van explains he didn't see what happened to Pantoja's hand until after celebrating, then approached to apologize, with Pantoja reciprocating. However, Pantoja subsequently posted videos suggesting Van's championship path was merely destiny or luck. Van maintains deep respect for Pantoja as a champion but questions why the Brazilian would share such narratives. Van also defended the injury as potentially preventable, noting that as a black belt, Pantoja should know proper falling technique to avoid extending his hand.
Joshua Van has spoken out about the aftermath of his UFC 328 flyweight title defense on May 9, expressing genuine surprise at comments made by former champion Alexandre Pantoja following their bout.
Van, 24, is the reigning UFC flyweight champion out of Myanmar, fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club. The hard-hitting orthodox striker carries a 17-2 record and has shown elite output inside the cage, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate. His rise to the title has been rapid, and he has now navigated a challenge from one of the division's most decorated fighters.
Pantoja, 36, entered the contest as the number-one ranked flyweight and the fourth-ranked fighter pound-for-pound in the world. The Brazilian veteran out of American Top Team holds a 30-6 record and brings a well-rounded threat to every fight, averaging 2.8 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes alongside his striking output.
Van recounted that he approached Pantoja during face-offs to shake hands, viewing the two as competitors rather than enemies. After the fight, he said he did not notice Pantoja's hand injury until after his celebration, at which point he went to apologize, with Pantoja appearing to reciprocate. Van expressed shock when Pantoja subsequently posted videos framing Van's championship path as the product of destiny or luck rather than merit.
While Van stressed deep respect for Pantoja as a former champion, he questioned why the Brazilian would push that narrative publicly. Van also addressed the hand injury directly, suggesting that as a black belt, Pantoja would have the technical knowledge to fall without extending his hand, implying the injury may have been avoidable.
Why it matters
- Van's legitimacy as flyweight champion is being publicly challenged by the division's top-ranked contender
- Pantoja, ranked fourth pound-for-pound, carries significant influence over how the division's narrative is shaped
- The exchange sets up a potentially heated dynamic if a rematch is considered at 125 pounds
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
See the AI pick, live odds and the full matchup breakdown
Saturday, May 9, 2026
