Alexandre Pantoja Wants Rematch vs. Joshua Van: "Unfinished Business"
Former flyweight champion says he's fully recovered from injury and eager to reclaim the UFC title after losing it last year.
After spending the last several months recovering from the injury that cost him the UFC flyweight title, Alexandre Pantoja already knows what he wants next, and that means a rematch against Joshua Van. Last December, the Brazilian lost the belt to the Burmese after suffering an arm injury just 26 seconds into the opening round.
Now, Pantoja says he is fully recovered and ready to begin another title run, especially since there is still unfinished business between him and Van.
Alexandre Pantoja Ready to Return to Octagon
Away from competition since his last fight against Van in December, Pantoja seems eager to step back into the Octagon. After watching the flyweight division continue to evolve while he recovered from injury, the Brazilian believes the time has come to reclaim his place at the top. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Pantoja made it clear he is ready to fight and wants to settle the score with the Burmese champion in a rematch for the division's title. In his view, there is still much to be accomplished in the UFC.
"I’m ready," Alexandre Pantoja began. "After December, what happened to my arm, two days after that, I went to the gym, started training with just one arm. That’s who I am. I’m not done. I’m not done. I have so much to conquer. I have so much to prove. And when you have the belt, your words . I want to take the belt again. [...] I have unfinished business with Joshua Van. Like, as an athlete, I know I lost the fight. That happened. But like a man, I don’t think he beat me. I’m still here. I’m ready to fight. I’m in amazing shape. Let’s see what happens next."
Flyweight Division Better than Ever
While Alexandre Pantoja was on the sidelines recovering from his injury, the top of the division remained highly competitive. During that period, Van made his first title defense against Tatsuro Taira, winning via fifth-round TKO. The flyweight division also delivered high-level matchups between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi, as well as Brandon Royval and Lone'er Kavanagh.
According to the Brazilian, all those fights proved the flyweight division is among the most entertaining in the UFC.
"That’s good to prove to everybody the flyweight division is one of the more entertaining divisions in the UFC," Pantoja said. "You see Manel Kape with Kyoji Horiguchi. You see Brandon Royval, all these guys put on very good show to everybody, and I think right now, flyweight is better than ever. I think what happened with me last year made the division more fire. Now I have the opportunity to take over and everybody again."
Whether his next fight is immediately against Van or another top contender, Alexandre Pantoja has made it clear he want another run at the title. Although there are plenty of top contenders available, the Brazilian has claimed his priority is to settle unfinished business against the Burmese champion.
