UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has publicly stated his wish for Alexandre Pantoja to receive another shot at the world title in the future.
Van is set to make his first defense of the UFC flyweight championship this weekend at UFC 328 against Tatsuro Taira. This comes after his victory over Alexandre Pantoja to claim the belt, a win that was influenced by Pantoja sustaining a significant injury early in their bout.
The potential for a rematch between Van and Pantoja has been a topic of discussion among fans. Despite Pantoja’s more extensive career and accumulated ring wear, his experience could pose a considerable challenge to Van.
In a recent interview, Joshua Van explicitly conveyed his interest in facing Pantoja again at some point down the line.
Joshua Van Discusses Alexandre Pantoja Rematch
“That’s in the past,” Van told MMA Fighting. “My focus right now is entirely on Taira. As I’ve said, Pantoja and I will run it back after this fight regardless. I’m not dwelling on that anymore.”
Van commented on Pantoja’s claim to a rematch, stating, “That’s the truth. He’s been dominant in the division. It’s only fair that he gets the rematch. Yes, I truly hope he and I can fight again.”
Van also shared details about his matchmaking process. “When they initially contacted me for the fight on two weeks’ notice, they offered Taira or Manel, and I chose Manel,” Van explained. “That didn’t work out. Then, for March 7th, they proposed the fight again, and I accepted. It seems both declined, I suppose. Now, the UFC has informed me that I will be fighting Tatsuro, and that’s final.”
“I’m going to fight all of these guys eventually anyway. I just want to face whoever. I specifically chose Manel because he had called me out, so I wanted to settle that, but now I have Tatsuro to contend with. After that, whoever the UFC assigns me.”
However, before any potential rematch with Pantoja, Van must first overcome Taira on Saturday night.
English Translation:
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has expressed his desire for Alexandre Pantoja to be granted a future rematch for the world title.
This weekend at UFC 328, Joshua Van is scheduled to defend his UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira. This will mark his first outing as champion, following his victory over Alexandre Pantoja to secure the belt. The reason Van ended up with the title was due to Pantoja suffering a significant injury early in their contest.
Since then, speculation has arisen regarding what a rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja might entail. Although Pantoja is further along in his career and has accumulated more fights, his experience is certainly sufficient to pose challenges for an opponent like Van.
In a recent interview, Joshua Van made it unequivocally clear that he wishes to fight Pantoja again at some point in the future.
Joshua Van on Alexandre Pantoja Rematch
“That is over with,” Van told MMA Fighting. “Right now, I’m just focusing on Taira. Like I said, me and Pantoja going to run it back anyways after this fight. I don’t think about that no more.”
“Facts,” Van said when asked if Pantoja deserved the rematch. “He dominated the division. It’s only right they give him the rematch. Yeah, I really hope me and him can run it back.”
“When they first called me for the two weeks’ notice, they said Taira or Manel, and I said Manel,” Van recounted. “It didn’t go through. Then for March 7th, they said let’s do it, and I said yes. Both of them said no, I guess. Now the UFC is like, you’re fighting Tatsuro, and that’s it.”
“I’m definitely going to fight all of these guys anyway. I just want to fight whoever. I just chose Manel because he called me out, so I wanted to run that back, but now I’ve got Tatsuro to worry about. After that, whoever the UFC gives me.”
Quotes via MMA Fighting
Before that, however, Van must first ensure he defeats Taira on Saturday night.