Joshua Van became the UFC flyweight champion at UFC 323, but not in the fashion anyone hoped. His title fight with longtime champion Alexandre Pantoja was stopped only 26 seconds in, after Pantoja suffered a severe injury that forced an immediate halt. It ended a remarkable reign — and left some fans questioning whether Van is a “real” champion.
Van, who went 4-0 in 2025 and is now the second-youngest champion in UFC history, had a blunt response for those dismissing his achievement:
“F— them. If you do good, they’ll talk. If you do bad, they’ll talk. Do what makes you happy.
It don’t matter what they think. I won.”
While online criticism has focused on the anticlimactic finish, Pantoja himself showed nothing but respect. In a message posted from the hospital, he congratulated Van:
“That’s his destiny, to win this belt tonight.”
Still, the former champion made his intentions clear:
“I’m gonna work very hard, and I’m gonna take my belt again.”
Van leaves Las Vegas with the flyweight title — and a growing rivalry already taking shape for his first defense.
