Joshua Van expressed surprise at Alexandre Pantoja's comments following their UFC 328 bout, which ended when Pantoja suffered a hand injury. Van explained that before their staredown, he approached Pantoja respectfully to shake hands, and they had no personal animosity. Van says he didn't initially see what happened to Pantoja's hand during the celebration and apologized once he learned of the injury. However, Pantoja later posted videos suggesting Van was lucky and that it was fate for Van to become champion. Van maintains respect for Pantoja but disputes the narrative that the injury was purely accidental, noting that as a black belt, Pantoja should know proper falling technique to avoid extending his arm.
Joshua Van has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding Alexandre Pantoja's post-fight remarks after their UFC 328 meeting on May 9, saying he was caught off guard by the tone Pantoja struck in the days that followed.
Van, the 24-year-old flyweight champion from Myanmar, improved to 17-2-0 with the victory and retained his title after Pantoja was forced out of the fight due to a hand injury. Fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club, Van has been one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing an extraordinary 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy. His path to the belt has been rapid, and he now holds the division's top spot at just 24 years old.
Pantoja, 36, entered the bout as the number-one ranked flyweight and number-four pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carrying a 30-6-0 record and the credibility of a former champion. The Brazilian, who fights out of American Top Team, is a seasoned grappler averaging 2.8 takedowns per 15 minutes and one submission attempt per 15 minutes over his career. His reach of 67 inches gave him a two-inch advantage over Van heading into the night.
Van said he approached Pantoja respectfully before their staredown and that no personal animosity existed between them. He apologized once he became aware of the hand injury, having not seen it occur in the moment. However, Van pushed back on suggestions that he bore any responsibility for what happened, arguing that a black belt of Pantoja's caliber should possess the falling technique necessary to avoid extending an arm in that situation.
When Pantoja subsequently posted videos framing Van's championship as a product of luck and fate rather than performance, Van said he was genuinely surprised given the respectful exchange they had shared.
Why it matters
- Van is an unconfirmed flyweight champion at just 24, making this title reign one to watch closely
- Pantoja's framing of the outcome keeps the rivalry alive and a rematch conversation open
- The dispute over how the injury occurred adds a layer of tension to what both fighters had described as a cordial pre-fight relationship
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
See the AI pick, live odds and the full matchup breakdown
Saturday, May 9, 2026
