LAS VEGAS – Joshua Van hopes the rematch with Alexandre Pantoja comes next, given the unfortunate circumstances that played out in their championship fight.
This past Saturday, Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) pulled off the upset win and became the new UFC flyweight champion, dethroning Pantoja (30-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. However, there is a caveat to Van’s championship win. There wasn’t much of a fight, as Pantoja injured his arm 26 seconds into the fight after trying to brace a fall.
Advertisement
Van completed his objective, but he’s not happy with how he did so. That’s why an immediate rematch is what makes sense for him.
“Like I said, this whole week was kill or be killed. I knew I was going to win this fight, but I didn’t want the fight to end that way, for sure,” Van told MMA Junkie and other media at the UFC 323 post-fight press conference. “As soon as he’s recovered, I want to run it back because I respect him so much. He’s one of the greatest of all time, and things like that, so I do want to run back with him.”
UFC CEO Dana White provided a medical update at the press conference, saying that Pantoja had suffered a dislocated shoulder. It’s unclear when the Brazilian will be able to return, but White did say that Van would likely have to defend his belt against a challenger before fighting Pantoja a second time.
Tatsuro Taira defeated former UFC champion Brandon Moreno on the same night, making him an appealing contender. Van liked what he saw from Taira. Although he’d be willing to fight the Japanese fighter, Van would still much rather rematch Pantoja, should that be in the cards.
Advertisement
“He looked great tonight,” Van said when asked about Taira. “Like I said, I do want to give the champ, I mean, I am the champ now – but I do want to give Pantoja the rematch, for sure, but like I said, whatever the UFC wants. Whatever it is, they got my number.”
There’s been plenty of chatter about the fight, given the unlikely and unfortunate finish. There’s also been some criticism thrown Van’s way, questioning the validity of his championship status.
“F*ck them,” Van said to the critics. “If you do good, they’ll talk sh*t, and if you do bad, they’ll talk sh*t, so do what makes you happy. It don’t matter what they think, I won.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joshua Van reacts to Alexandre Pantoja’s freak arm injury at UFC 323
