When Joshua Van (15-2) suffered the only knockout loss of his professional mixed martial arts career, he knew something had to change. On July 13, 2024, Van shared the Octagon with Charles Johnson on the featured preliminary bout of the UFC Denver card. While many felt Van would turn in a breakout performance, he was knocked out in the third round.
Since that defeat, Van has won five fights in a row and has earned a shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship. Speaking to Newsweek Sports, Van revealed the one promise he made to himself after that bitter night in Denver.
“I got caught, and leading up to that fight, I was not doing what I was supposed to do,” Van admitted. “After that fight I just knew that as long as I put in the work, I’ll come out on top. After that fight, it made me realize if I ever lose again in a fight, it’s not because they outworked me. It’s going to be because they’re better than me. I never wanted to lose a fight because people outworked me ever again. That was the thing that changed.”
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Challenging Alexandre Pantoja
On Saturday, “The Fearless” will take on reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja (30-5). The title fight will serve as the co-main event of UFC 323. Despite the fact that gold is at stake, Van isn’t feeling any added pressure as opposed to his previous fights.
“It’s the same,” Van said. “It’s just a fight at the end of the day. It just happens to be I’m fighting for a title. It’s just the same as every other fight.”
Van also wasn’t surprised when he got the call to fight for UFC gold, as he felt his performance against Brandon Royval back in June sealed his No. 1 contender status.
“Well, it was well known after I won that Royval fight, I was going to be fighting for a title,” Van said. “I don’t know who I called. Everybody just found out at the same time.”
Van was also confident going into the Royval fight that he’d be next in line for a shot at the 125-pound gold if he emerged victorious.
“When they offered me the Royval fight, I knew that after I beat him, I’d be fighting for a title,” Van said. “As soon as they said Royval’s name, I was already thinking in my head that I would be next for a title fight.”
Representing New Generation
At 24 years old, Van is leading the next wave of flyweight stars. “The Fearless” knows how stacked the 125-pound division is.
“It feels great to be in the flyweight division right now, man,” Van said. “We got killers up in there. Yes sir, for sure. We be putting it in, all these young-ins. I’m very excited for Dec. 6 to represent the younger generation of fighters and representing my country.”
Pantoja’s Recognition
Throughout the past few years, many have argued that Pantoja hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves for being a dominant champion. Longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has strongly expressed this opinion several times, but Van believes Pantoja has actually gotten the proper recognition.
“Yeah, I think so because everybody says he might be the greatest flyweight,” Van said. “I think they do give him the flowers he deserves, ranked No. 5 pound-for-pound or something. That’s pretty high right there.”
While Van can’t answer for Pantoja as far as what has made him dominate the division, he plans to be the one to end his title reign.
“I don’t know what makes him so great,” Van said. “I think you’ll have to ask him, but I know I’ll be the guy to stop him just because I believe in my work. I believe in my team, so come fight day, we’re going to find out who’s the better man.”
Importance of UFC 323 Win
Van is on the cusp of becoming a UFC champion for the first time in his career, and he knows the significance of winning gold for his country and his family.
“It would mean everything to me because not a lot of people know Myanmar,” Van said. “For me to show the world where I’m from, represent in front of millions of people, that would mean everything to me. Getting the belt in front of my momma would mean everything to me as well.”
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