Joshua Van, after winning five consecutive fights, is set to challenge UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, with Charles Johnson, the only fighter to have knocked out Van, predicting a competitive match at UFC 323 in Las Vegas.
Joshua Van’s on a hot streak, winning five consecutive fights in just nine months to snag a UFC flyweight title shot. The only fighter to have ever knocked him out, Charles Johnson, believes Van might just dethrone the 125-pound king, Alexandre Pantoja, in Las Vegas this weekend.
Johnson, who finished Van in the third round of their UFC Denver match, anticipates “a great fight” for the co-main event of UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. “I think it’s anyone’s fight, honestly. Whoever shows up that night,” he shared with MMA Fighting.
Van and Pantoja are both seasoned champions from different promotions. Their fearless styles promise an electrifying clash. “Styles make fights, man,” Johnson noted, highlighting Pantoja’s aggressive approach and Van’s resilience.
The question is whether Van can keep Pantoja off his back and control the center of the octagon. Johnson is excited to see how the fight unfolds. “It’ll be a great fight though, man. I’m excited to see what happens.”
Pantoja, a veteran with 35 professional bouts, has never been finished. He’s successfully defended his title four times, with his last two wins via rear-naked chokes. Despite turning 36 soon, he often engages in striking battles rather than grappling.
Van, meanwhile, has mostly won by decision, with a recent knockout over Bruno Silva. “I think that Josh is a great fighter,” Johnson said, dismissing concerns about age affecting Pantoja’s performance.
Pantoja’s path to victory? Just be himself. Johnson believes Van has the chance to shine if he handles the pressure. “I always like watching Pantoja fight, honestly, because he gets it done,” Johnson added.
Johnson himself is on a roll, winning five of his last six fights. He’s set to face Alex Perez at UFC 324 and sees a win for Van over Pantoja as elevating his own status in the division.
“It’s cool,” Johnson said, reflecting on the opportunities in the sport. He’s inspired by Van’s journey and is motivated to position himself for similar success.