The UFC flyweight division is entering a new chapter. At UFC 323, Joshua Van will challenge reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja in what could be one of the most telling matchups of the year.
The curiosity is understandable. Van is young, confident, and undefeated inside the UFC so far.
His recent victory over Brandon Royval was a star-making performance that left fans and analysts buzzing.
However, the question stands like a mountain: Can Joshua Van beat a proven champion like Alexandre Pantoja?
The UFC hype machine has created comparisons before. Kai Asakura once entered with massive attention and belief.
But when it was time to face Pantoja, the champion shut everything down, dominated, and reminded the world that experience and composure matter. Joshua Van now walks into the same arena of expectations.
To understand whether Van has a real chance, we need to break down the styles, the mental battle, and where both fighters stand entering UFC 323.
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Joshua Van: The Rising Challenger
Joshua Van has quickly become a name to watch. His fighting style is fast, technical, and smooth.
His footwork is crisp, and he rarely wastes movement. Against Royval, he showed patience and accuracy, which is impressive because Royval is known for chaos.
Instead of falling into wild exchanges, Van controlled the pace, landed cleaner shots, and made fewer mistakes.
Strengths Joshua Van Brings:
- High Fight IQ: He reads his opponents well and adapts mid-fight.
- Striking Accuracy: He doesn’t just throw; he picks his targets with care.
- Youth & Hunger: At just the start of his UFC run, he has momentum and freshness.
- Composure Under Pressure: He didn’t rush or panic against Royval, which is rare for someone early in their top-10 journey.
However, Van is stepping into deep water now. A world title fight isn’t like a regular bout. The pressure is different.
The lights are brighter. The opponent is not just skilled — he is battle-tested and comfortable in championship rounds.
Alexandre Pantoja: The Veteran Champion
Alexandre Pantoja has climbed his way to the top through grit, patience, and relentless work. He has fought the best in the division repeatedly.
When he steps inside the cage, he brings something Joshua has not yet experienced: championship maturity.
Pantoja’s ability to keep a high pace is one of his strongest weapons. He doesn’t give opponents space to think.
Against Kai Asakura, he controlled the timing, shut down attacks before they formed, and dragged the fight into the kind of rhythm only he thrives in.
Pantoja’s Advantages:
- Experience in Tough Fights
- Proven Cardio Across Five Rounds
- Submission Threat in Scrambles
- Pressure and Physical Strength
- Ability to Block Opponent’s Momentum
The champion does not break easily. He imposes himself. For Joshua Van to win, he must be ready not only to fight Pantoja skill-for-skill, but to survive the grind of pressure and high-intensity exchanges.
Key Factors That Will Decide the Fight
1. Who Controls the Distance
Van needs space to strike and move. Pantoja wants to close the distance, clinch, and force scrambles.
If Van can use lateral movement and smart angle changes, he can score points and frustrate the champion.
2. Scramble Control
Pantoja thrives in chaotic grappling. If Van gets taken down or tangled, he must stay disciplined and avoid giving his back. One mistake could end the fight.
3. Cardio in Rounds 4 and 5
Van has not yet been tested in late rounds. Pantoja has. If the fight reaches deep waters, the champion could take over.
4. Mental Composure
Title fights create pressure that can turn the calmest fighter into someone reckless. Van has been composed so far, but this is a new level.
Can Joshua Van Actually Win?
Yes, he can. But it requires a near-perfect performance.
He must:
- Stay disciplined.
- Avoid brawls and unnecessary grappling exchanges.
- Use footwork, feints, and accuracy.
- Force Pantoja to chase.
- Win rounds, not just moments.
If Joshua Van fights a smart, controlled fight and picks his spots, he can create a huge upset and shock the flyweight division.
But the challenge is towering. Pantoja knows how to break rhythm, how to turn calm fights into storms, and how to suffocate young fighters into mistakes.
Van has the talent. The question is whether he has the experience and endurance for 25 minutes with someone like Pantoja.
Prediction
Joshua Van will have strong moments. He is too sharp and too focused not to.
But unless he can maintain that level for all five rounds, Pantoja’s pressure and grappling experience are likely to become the deciding factor.
Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja retains the title by decision or late submission.
However, if Van surprises everyone and wins, we could be witnessing the birth of the next long-term superstar of the division.
Final Thoughts
This fight represents more than just a title defense. It is a test of eras: the steady champion vs. the fast-rising future contender.
If Joshua Van wins, he will shake the entire division and announce a new age.
If Pantoja wins, he further cements his legacy among the greatest flyweights of his generation.
Either way, UFC 323 is set to be a pivotal moment — and fans will be watching every second.
Ashish Lavania is a dedicated combat sports analyst and the mind behind some of the most detailed breakdowns in modern fight media. Specializing in UFC, MMA, and boxing analysis, Ashish combines deep technical knowledge with a fan-first approach, delivering insights that are easy to understand yet backed by real fighting IQ.