TLDR
- Joshua Van won the UFC flyweight title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a shoulder injury just 26 seconds into the fight
- Van, 24, became the second youngest UFC champion in history but faces criticism from fans who don’t consider his TKO victory legitimate
- Van responded to critics by saying “F*ck them” and insists he won regardless of how it happened
- Van wants to give Pantoja a rematch once the former champion recovers from his shoulder injury
- Pantoja sent a classy message recognizing Van as champion but promised to work hard to reclaim his belt
Joshua Van Becomes UFC Flyweight Champion After Alexandre Pantoja Injury at UFC 323
Joshua Van became the new UFC flyweight champion at UFC 323 on Saturday night. The 24-year-old fighter won the title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a shoulder injury.
The fight ended in just 26 seconds. Pantoja’s shoulder injury forced officials to stop the bout and award Van the TKO victory.
Van entered the fight with strong momentum. He had defeated Brandon Royval by unanimous decision in his previous bout.
The quick finish was not how Van hoped to win his first UFC title. Despite achieving his championship dreams, the circumstances left many fans questioning the legitimacy of his victory.
During the post-fight press conference, Van addressed his critics directly. “F*ck them,” Van said when asked about fans who dismiss his win.
Van explained that criticism comes regardless of performance. “If you do good, they’ll talk sht, and if you do bad, they’ll talk sht, so do what makes you happy,” he stated.
Van Becomes Second Youngest UFC Champion
The victory made Van the second youngest UFC champion in history. At 24 years and two months old, he trails only Jon Jones, who won his title at 23 years and eight months.
Van won all four of his fights in 2025 before capturing the title. His rapid rise through the flyweight division culminated in the championship opportunity against Pantoja.
Van expressed respect for the former champion. “As soon as he’s recovered, I want to run it back because I respect him so much,” Van said.
He called Pantoja “one of the greatest of all time.” Van made clear his willingness to give the Brazilian a rematch once he recovers.
Pantoja’s Recovery Timeline Unclear
UFC CEO Dana White discussed Pantoja’s injury situation. While not claiming to be a doctor, White suggested the former champion faces a lengthy recovery period.
The shoulder injury appeared serious enough to keep Pantoja out of action for an extended time. White indicated it would be a while before fans see Pantoja inside the Octagon again.
Pantoja responded graciously despite losing his title. In a video posted on his Instagram account, he recognized Van as the legitimate flyweight champion.
“It’s not just about myself today, it’s about Joshua Van. That’s his destiny, to win this belt tonight,” Pantoja said. He also warned Van not to get comfortable, promising to “work very hard” and take back his belt.
A new contender emerged at UFC 323. Tatsuro Taira defeated Brandon Moreno by TKO in another flyweight bout on the same card.
The Taira stoppage drew some controversy. Many fans believe Taira’s fighting style matches Van’s crowd-pleasing approach, which could create an exciting title fight if the UFC books the matchup.
