\u201cNo Mercy\u201d put on arguably the most impressive performance of his career to win a five-round decision over Dvalishvili. Pantoja was also unseated by Joshua Van in the night\u2019s co-main event, but that result came after only 26 seconds of action. <\/p>\n
Alexandre Pantoja Returns To Training The Week After UFC 323<\/p>\n
Many fans were eager to see if the 24-year-old Van could upset a long-reigning champion in Pantoja, but the UFC 323 co-main event ended disappointingly when \u201cThe Cannibal\u201d reached out to break a fall during the opening 30 seconds and suffered an elbow injury<\/a> that brought things to a premature end. <\/p>\n READ MORE: 34-fight MMA veteran knocked stiff by must-see head kick knockout<\/a><\/p>\n The result was a shocking and anticlimactic way for Pantoja\u2019s title reign to come to end, as he had already defended his flyweight belt on four occasions after winning it from Brandon Moreno at UFC 290. Less than a week removed from the loss and sporting a brace on his left arm, the Brazilian recently posted footage of himself getting some kettlebell work in at the gym. <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t understand what kind of a man I am\u201d<\/p>\n Who Will Joshua Van Fight Next?<\/p>\n Although inaugural UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious \u201cMighty Mouse\u201d Johnson is still considered by most fans to be the greatest 125 lbs. fighter of all time, many felt that Pantoja could be approaching divisional GOAT status with what was a largely dominant reign as champion. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC fan favorite returns for rematch nearly 10 years in the making at UFC Houston<\/a><\/p>\n It likely wasn\u2019t how he envisioned winning the title, but Van was visibly emotional in the immediate aftermath of the fight even before he had the flyweight belt wrapped around his waist. \u201cFearless\u201d only joined the UFC in 2023, and after UFC 323 he is now on a six-fight win streak and has only suffered one loss inside the Octagon.<\/p>\n Joshua Van (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n If Pantoja is sidelined for an extended period, Van may find himself facing a different name for his first title defense. Tatsuro Taira made a case for a flyweight title shot at UFC 323 when he earned a controversial victory over former titleholder Moreno<\/a>, and top-ranked flyweight contenders Manel Kape and Brandon Royval are also set to meet this weekend <\/a>in the final UFC fight of 2025.<\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Henry Cejudo offers hilarious shoutout after losing retirement fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC champion dismisses retirement rumors, eyes “legacy” fights after next title bout<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0New UFC champions hit pound-for-pound list after UFC 323, big winners crack rankings<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 UFC champion shockingly claims he\u2019s changing weight classes after next fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kca03ry31keaz6xa8y.jpg\" "\\"Joshua")
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