Joshua Van Claims Flyweight Title as Alexandre Pantoja Suffers Injury at UFC 323
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A stunning upset unfolded at UFC 323 on Saturday, December 6, 2025, as Joshua Van captured the 125-pound championship after Alexandre Pantoja sustained an injury just 26 seconds into their co-main event bout inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The unexpected finish brought an end to Pantoja’s impressive title reign and crowned a new champion in the flyweight division.
The fight concluded abruptly when Pantoja was injured following a failed head-kick attempt. Van successfully caught the kick and transitioned into a takedown, but Pantoja’s awkward landing resulted in a significant injury. The specifics of the injury were initially unclear, but Pantoja’s team later confirmed an elbow injury, while UFC CEO Dana White indicated a potential shoulder issue requiring an MRI.
“I didn’t know what happened,” Van said immediately after the fight. “He just stopped. I was trying to ground-and-pound, but the ref said something was wrong. He’s one of the greatest of all time, and I didn’t want the fight to go that way.”
Pantoja, who had defended his title three times since winning it in June 2023 against Brandon Moreno, immediately sought medical attention. Following the fight, Pantoja took to social media to address his fans.
Pantoja shared an update on his Instagram account following the fight.
The victory marks a remarkable ascent for Van, who at 24 years old, becomes the second-youngest champion in UFC history. He will finish 2025 with a perfect 4-0 record, a dramatic turnaround from a knockout loss to Charles Johnson in June 2024.
From Prospect to Champion: Joshua Van’s Rise
Born in Myanmar and now training out of Houston, Van’s journey to the title has been nothing short of meteoric. Prior to his championship victory, he secured wins over Rei Tsuruya, Bruno Silva, and Brandon Royval. His three-round war with Royval was particularly notable, setting a new UFC record for most combined strikes landed in a fight with an astounding 419. Van has also become the youngest fighter to surpass 1,000 significant strikes landed in the UFC.
“I’m so blessed,” Van stated, handing the UFC belt to his mother. “People of Myanmar, now the world will know of us.”
Pantoja’s Reign Ends, Legacy Intact
Pantoja’s loss brings an end to a dominant run in the flyweight division, a run that placed him in the conversation for the greatest flyweight of all time alongside Demetrious Johnson. Despite the unfortunate ending, Pantoja’s legacy as a formidable champion remains secure.
The sudden conclusion to the fight at UFC 323 leaves the future of the UFC flyweight division uncertain, but one thing is clear: Joshua Van has arrived, and a new era has begun.
