"Tomorrow we kill or be killed" Joshua Van speaks about his rematch with Alexandre Pantoja
Joshua Van is fully devoted to his attitude of "we kill or be killed" before his fight with Alexandre Pantoja
Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja are all set to face each other again in the Octagon. It seems like Van is already in the ‘Do or Die’ headspace.
Joshua Van is Fully Committed to Firm Mindset Against Alexandre Pantoja
Pantoja lost his UFC flyweight title to Joshua Van via TKO at UFC 323. He suffered a severe left elbow dislocation 30 seconds into the fight. Since that night, the dynamic between the two has changed a lot. They were on their most respectful behaviour during every interaction leading up to their first encounter, but that isn’t the case for the rematch at UFC 331.
During the face-off, Joe Rogan told The Fearless that he now has an opportunity to solidify his position “ by beating the man you won the title from by accident”. This humorous provocation got a reaction from him very quickly.
“It ain’t no accident, man. It happened the way it did and it was meant to be,” Van replied. He went on to end this dialogue by saying, “Tomorrow we kill or be killed”
"Tomorrow we kill or be killed." ⚔️
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 19, 2026
The champ Joshua Van on his upcoming title defence at #UFC331 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4jRhQWwtWw
A lot more aggression and determination will be put on in this bout than in their previous one. The stakes are high given the last match between them did not quite end on a good note.
This fight, for Pantoja, can be an opportunity to reclaim the champion title. Naturally, the trash talk between the two has skyrocketed in the last few days.
“I’m His Dad” Joshua Van Claps Back at Alexandre Pantoja
Joshua Van is not interested in taking any lecture on respect, at least from his opponent Alexandre Pantoja. The former flyweight champion, Pantoja, recently, at UFC 331 media day, opened up about teaching the Burmese-American fighter a lesson.
"I'm from the '90s," the 36-year-old Brazilian said. "In that time, if you don't respect your mother and your father, they're gonna slap you. I thought about that, but Dana White stopped me."
Van’s reply was short and sarcastic.
“As far as I checked, I’m his dad,” Van said. “I don’t know what he was talking about. The shit that he’s been saying, he should get smacked for that.”
Van is convinced that Pantoja is just sour because he lost his spot at the top of the division. Quite frankly, the jabs that Pantoja takes at him don’t even bother him too much, responding thusly:
“That’s because the things that he’s been saying. He doesn’t even believe it. When I point that out, it just pisses him off I guess.
Needless to say, this banter is creating significant tension between the two before their much-anticipated showdown on tonight.
