Joshua Van: Embracing the Pressure and Fighting for Glory
Joshua Van has heard the familiar narrative of “too much, too soon” a few times now, but he’s not letting it get to him. Back in June, when Van accepted a short-notice fight against Brandon Royval, he was barely a day removed from a win over Bruno Silva at UFC 316. Despite the tight turnaround, Van didn’t hesitate when the UFC called, and his decision was met with praise for his willingness to step up and save a marquee fight. The general consensus was that Van could put on a good show, even if the odds were stacked against him. However, Van defied expectations by delivering a potential Fight of the Year and securing a unanimous decision victory over Royval. This performance catapulted him to the No. 1 contender spot at flyweight, setting the stage for his upcoming matchup against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.
A Young Fighter’s Ambition
The criticism that Van is being rushed into title contention is nothing new to him. “The same thing they said with the Royval fight — he’s too young, they’re rushing him, this and that,” Van told MMA Fighting. He has nine fights under his belt in the UFC and sees no reason to wait around just because of his age. For Van, the opportunity to fight for the championship is long overdue. “I want to fight for the belt. I want to fight the champion. I don’t think they’re rushing me. If I get my way, I [would have fought] for the title years ago. I think this is the perfect timing mentally, physically, I’m well prepared right now.” Van’s ambition and confidence are evident, and he’s ready to prove that he belongs at the top of the flyweight division.
Embracing the Underdog Role
Van enters the fight as an underdog, a position he’s familiar with. He understands that this is just part of the game and promises to approach the title fight with the same swagger and confidence that got him this far. Van has a deep respect for Pantoja but isn’t letting it consume him. “Pantoja, I never thought about him even after that I knew I’m getting that fight,” Van admitted. “Now that we’re in fight camp, I started watching him. I’m the type of guy that takes one fight at a time. I don’t want to focus on everybody else and things like that.” Van’s focus is laser-sharp, and he’s determined to bring his best performance against Pantoja.
Learning from Past Mistakes
With four title defenses under his belt, Alexandre Pantoja has established himself as one of the best flyweights in the sport, and his name is often mentioned alongside legendary fighters like Demetrious Johnson. Pantoja has an impressive streak of eight consecutive wins, with four of them ending in submissions. However, Van believes that past opponents’ excessive respect for Pantoja might have contributed to their downfall. “When they fought Pantoja, a lot of people give him too much respect,” Van noted. “Even Kai [Kara-France], I don’t think he fought the same way he usually fights. Pantoja didn’t even have to try too hard to take him down because Kai was just backing up. If Kai would have fought the way he usually fights, he could have done so much better.” Van and his team are determined to avoid the same mistakes and focus on bringing their best game.
The Challenge Ahead
Van acknowledges the dangers Pantoja poses and the potential for this fight to test him in new ways. “He’s good. He’s very, very good,” Van said. “He’s not a technical guy but he’s a dog. He’s bringing that fight no matter what. It doesn’t matter how bad you f*ck him up, he’s always trying to come back and give you that dog fight. I feel like a lot of people crumble because of that.” Pantoja’s resilience and durability are well-documented, and Van knows he will need to be at his best to overcome this challenge. A win against Pantoja would not only hand the champion his first loss in over five years but would also make Van the UFC flyweight champion in just his 10th UFC fight, a remarkable achievement for a 24-year-old fighter.
A Superstar in the Making
If Van can secure the victory, he’s ready to embrace the changes that come with it. While he jokes about wearing sunglasses and acting like a superstar, he knows the importance of staying grounded. “I’m going to be a whole different Josh. I’m going to wear sunglasses everywhere. I’m going to act like a superstar,” Van joked. “No, I’m playing with you. I haven’t thought about it. Right now I’m just thinking about the fight on Dec. 6. It’s going to be a great fight. I just like to keep the same people around me. I don’t think I’ll be any different just because of the belt.” Van’s focus remains on the task at hand, and he’s determined to prove that he’s ready for whatever comes next.
