Get ready because the UFC flyweight division is absolutely buzzing for Saturday’s title rematch between former champ Alexandre Pantoja and new beltholder Joshua Van. Forget humble beginnings, this one has boiled over with some seriously surprising bad blood, making it a must-see headliner for UFC 331 in Los Angeles. Neither of these guys has been known for slinging trash talk, but something changed, and it is electrifying the build-up to this fight.
From Humble Win to Full-Blown Confidence
The rivalry really kicked off last December at UFC 323, and what a shocker that was. Pantoja, a 36-year-old Brazilian legend, walked in as nearly a 3-to-1 betting favorite. But the fight ended abruptly, in just 26 seconds, when Van, then a 24-year-old rising star from Myanmar, got a first-round TKO. Pantoja dislocated his left elbow after a blocked high kick sent him to the ground. Van, after that huge win, was totally respectful and humble. Fast forward ten months, and that Van is GONE. This dude has been feeling himself big time since taking that belt, especially after defending it in a thrilling fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in May. Now, Van is entering this 125-pound title rematch as a slight betting favorite. His newfound confidence, man, it blurs the line between confidence and flat-out cockiness. He even rocks dark sunglasses indoors now, making it part of his whole champion aura.
The Press Conference Showdown That Got REAL
Things officially went nuclear at the August press conference in Philadelphia. Van strolled up to the dais, sunglasses on inside, like he owned the whole place. He didn’t waste a second, jumping straight into it, saying, “What’s done is done and I’m going to whoop his ass Sept. 19.” He even doubled down on his previous win, claiming, “Had that [injury] not happened, I would’ve still whooped his ass that day.” Van clearly sees Saturday as just another chance to do it again, proclaiming, “He mad, he big mad. He mad that I got his belt. Look at him. It looks good on me.” Pantoja, whose name usually means humility and hard work, was calm at first. The former champ, who became flyweight champion in 2023 and made four title defenses, warned Van, saying, “First, I think he need to wash his mouth. I respect where I’m from and in Brazil, you need to care about what you talk. If you not, maybe you lose your teeth. I lose my belt, he’s the champion of the world. But like a man, he did not beat me.” But when Van started constantly interrupting Pantoja with insults, “The Cannibal” snapped. His demeanor took a hard left turn as the trash talk escalated.
This isn’t just a title fight anymore. It’s raw emotion, a clash of styles, and a whole lot of bad blood brewing for Saturday, September 19, at Crypto.com Arena. Will Pantoja make Van regret those words, or will Van prove he truly owns that belt? You do not want to miss this 125-pound title rematch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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