Joshua Van expects "best Pantoja" in UFC 331 rematch

Joshua Van expects to face the best version of Alexandre Pantoja when the two meet again at UFC 331 on Saturday in Los Angeles. The Burmese fighter defeated the Brazilian by TKO after Pantoja suffered an injury in the first round and claimed his flyweight title. Van believes "The Cannibal" will be even more motivated in the rematch.

Joshua Van Expects a Motivated Alexandre Pantoja

Pantoja emerged as the UFC Flyweight Champion after he won a split decision against Brandon Moreno in July 2023. Since then, the Brazilian defended his title four consecutive times before eventually losing to Van in December last year after suffering an arm injury just 26 seconds into the first round. Now, Pantoja will have the opportunity to reclaim the belt, and Van expects him to be determined to regain his position at the top of the division.

"He's going to be hungrier than ever," Van told MMA Junkie. "He's going to be more hungry, and I think this will be the best Pantoja we see because I think he wants to get the belt back for sure. And I don't think he really likes me, right? I think he's going to show out and try to get the belt back, so I think this will be the best Pantoja we see."

Van also believes there is some tension between the two fighters following their first encounter. Pantoja was respectful toward Van immediately after the loss, but later questioned whether the American had truly beaten him as a man.

Joshua Van Wants to Settle the Score

With their rematch just around the corner, Van is set to prove he is the better fighter after Pantoja questioned whether he was truly beaten by the Burmese. In fact, Van admitted that Pantoja's comments bothered him, particularly because of the respect he had developed for the former champion after their first fight.

"That's what we're here to find out – if that was a fluke or not," Van said. "He was so respectful after the fight, and I was, too. I walked up to him, I told him sorry. He said sorry, and then he made videos saying it was my destiny to be a champion, and I was like – this guy, I respect him so much for that. [...] And he goes on podcasts or interviews and talking crazy. 'You beat me as a fighter, but as a man, you didn't beat me.' I'm like, what the f*ck are you talking about? That sh*t just kind of annoyed me."

Now, Van believes the fight will finally settle any doubts about their first encounter. The champion is confident he is the better fighter and wants to prove it once again inside the Octagon.