Joshua Van expressed surprise at Alexandre Pantoja's recent comments regarding their UFC 328 bout. Van recounted that during face-offs before UFC 328, he cordially shook Pantoja's hand and asked how he was doing, with Pantoja responding positively. Van stated he didn't see Pantoja's arm injury during the fight until after celebrating his victory, at which point he approached and apologized. However, Pantoja later posted videos suggesting Van's championship win was merely luck and destiny. Van maintains respect for Pantoja as a champion but was shocked by the Brazilian's narrative shift. He also defended the legitimacy of his win, noting that as a black belt, Pantoja should know proper falling technique to avoid injury.
Joshua Van says he was caught off guard by Alexandre Pantoja's public comments following their flyweight title fight at UFC 328 on May 9, with the newly crowned champion pushing back on the narrative the Brazilian has put forward since the bout.
Van, 24, captured the UFC flyweight championship to improve his record to 17-2. The fighter from Myanmar, who trains out of 4oz. Fight Club and competes under the nickname "The Fearless," has shown elite striking output throughout his career, landing an exceptional 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy. The title win is the crowning achievement of a career that has risen sharply for one of the youngest champions in the division's history.
Pantoja, 36, entered the contest as the reigning champion and the number-four pound-for-pound fighter on the roster, carrying a 30-6 record built largely through his time at American Top Team. The Brazilian is a well-rounded threat at flyweight, averaging 2.8 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Van recounted that the two exchanged a cordial handshake during pre-fight face-offs, with Pantoja indicating he was doing well. Van said he did not notice Pantoja's arm injury during the fight itself, and once he finished celebrating, he approached his opponent and apologized. He expressed genuine respect for Pantoja as a former champion.
What surprised Van was Pantoja subsequently posting videos framing the outcome as a product of luck and destiny rather than merit. Van disputed that characterization and defended the legitimacy of the victory. He also noted that Pantoja, as a black belt, would have the technical knowledge of proper falling mechanics to protect himself from injury.
Why it matters
- Van is the new flyweight champion at just 24 years old, making any rematch narrative an immediate divisional storyline
- Pantoja remains ranked first in the division at 30-6, keeping a potential second fight relevant
- The public dispute adds an personal edge to what could become one of the division's defining rivalries
Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
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Saturday, May 9, 2026
