UFC 323: Joshua Van eyes finish of Alexandre Pantoja to win title
UFC flyweight contender Joshua Van speaks to MMA Junkie Radio ahead of his title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 in Las Vegas.
Joshua Van has never lacked confidence in his athletic abilities.
Whether it was on the soccer fields or even on the mats for his first day of training MMA, Van (15-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) always had a mindset that he would never lose. That mindset has carried him all the way to a title shot at UFC 323 against Alexandre Pantoja. The flyweight title bout serves as the co-main event of the final pay-per-view of the year at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Van firmly believes there will be a changing of the guard, as he eyes the potential of finishing Pantoja (30-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC).
“It’s either I knock him out inside of three rounds, or it’s gonna be a five-round war,” Van told MMA Junkie Radio.
Finishing the champ would be a tall task, as it’s never happened before. All five of Pantoja’s career losses came on the scorecards, the last of which came in July 2020. Since then, “The Cannibal” has won eight straight, including capturing the flyweight title and notching four defenses.
Van is well aware of Pantoja’s accolades, but it doesn’t matter to him. He’s out to prove the doubters wrong in the biggest fight of his career, as he’s coming off a Fight of the Night win in one of the best bouts of the year against Brandon Royval at UFC 317.
“A lot of people talk about I ain’t got no chance, you know what I mean?” Van said. “… I don’t give no mind to that sh*t, becuase the Royval fight, they was saying the same thing. They was like I wasn’t ready, especially on a short notice, things like that – and we know the outcome. I know what I’m capable of, and I think the champ knows what I’m capable of. Come fight day, it’s gonna be completely different.”
Van is riding a five-fight streak, and has proved himself capable against each rising level of competition. At 24, knocking Pantoja off his incredible run could mark the beginning of a lengthy run of his own, as he’s still young and growing as a fighter.
“He have his run, so everybody thinks Pantoja is one of the greatest to ever fight in our division, you know what I mean?” Van said. “So, it’s understandable, but everybody have their time, man. I feel like it’s my time.”
