LAS VEGAS – It’s Sunday and Alexandre Pantoja is champion.
Come Monday, however, he’ll be the challenger. At least that’s the case in his mind.
Minutes after his UFC 317 win over Kai Kara-France, Pantoja (30-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) was quite literally faced with his next opponent. Into the cage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas walked Joshua Van, who defeated Brandon Royval in a thrilling title eliminator just one fight prior.
Approved impromptu faceoffs are rare from the promotion, but Dana White confirmed post-fight Van (15-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) would be next. Pantoja is thrilled for a new challenge, and is quite impressed by the youngster Van.
“When I was 23, I was working in the restaurant, cleaning dishes,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “Look at that. The guy is 23 and going to fight for the belt, for the world championship. I think this guy is going to be my toughest challenger. He’s young. He’s hungry and he doesn’t make wars like I did in the past. I did my 35th professional fight tonight. That’s a lot of wars I passed through with a lot of very good fighters. The UFC gives me this new guy. I think everybody wants to see the new. No more rematches for me. I want to fight with that guy, too. I want that challenge to fight with the new blood, with a new kid.”
Van debuted professionally in October 2021 and has competed a staggering 17 times in less than four years. He’s on a five-fight winning streak since September 2024 and decisively defeated two ranked opponents in 22 days’ time in June. Pantoja understands there’s a stiff test up next.
“I found a couple fights from Joshua Van,” Pantoja said. “He does an amazing job with Rei Tsuruya. He defended all the takedowns. He beat (Bruno Silva) in the last fight. He got this opportunity to fight the No. 1 contender, Royval, and did an amazing job. Who can do that? Now, I think that’s my toughest challenge. Monday, I’m back to the gym. My coaches know that. I’m no more the champion of the world. I’m the challenger. I know who is my opponent and I know what I want. I want this belt again.”
