Is Joshua Van being rushed into a title fight? That's the question buzzing around the UFC world, and Van himself is firing back, making it clear he's not waiting for anyone! Some say he's too young, too inexperienced to challenge for the flyweight championship. But Van's response is a defiant roar: 'What am I supposed to do? Just sit on the sidelines because I'm young?'
Let's rewind a bit. Back in June, Van stepped up on short notice to face Brandon Royval. He'd just secured a victory over Bruno Silva at UFC 316, barely a day prior. But when the UFC needed someone to fill in after Manel Kape withdrew from the Royval fight, Van didn't hesitate, even though it was only three weeks away. At the time, he was applauded for saving the show, with most expecting a valiant effort but a likely loss.
And this is the part most people miss... Van didn't just show up; he shocked the world! He and Royval delivered a potential 'Fight of the Year,' with Van ultimately taking the decision. This victory catapulted him to the No. 1 contender spot, setting up a title clash with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.
Now, the 'too much, too soon' narrative has resurfaced. But Van isn't backing down. He insists he'd have taken this title shot even sooner if given the chance.
"It's the same thing they said with the Royval fight – he's too young, they're rushing him, this and that," Van told MMA Fighting. "But come on, I’ve got like nine fights in the UFC. What am I supposed to do? Wait around just because I’m young?"
He emphasizes his hunger for the belt: "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 enters the fight as the underdog, but this isn't new territory. He understands the odds and embraces the challenge with the same confidence that propelled him to this opportunity. He respects Pantoja, but he wasn't obsessing over the matchup before it was finalized.
"Pantoja, I never thought about him even after that I knew I’m getting that fight," Van said. "Now that we’re in fight camp, I started watching him. I’m the type of guy that’s like take one fight at a time. I don’t want to focus on everybody else and things like that."
Van even admits he doesn't know half the fighters in his division. "I don’t know even half the division. I don’t even know the names of the half of the people in my division. I fight this guy so I’m watching this guy type of things. Right now the focus is on Pantoja."
Alexandre Pantoja is no pushover. With four title defenses, he's cemented his status as a top flyweight, even earning comparisons to the legendary Demetrious Johnson. He boasts an impressive eight-fight win streak, with half of those victories coming by submission. His accomplishments speak volumes.
But here's where it gets controversial... Van believes his opponent's previous reverence for Pantoja played a role in their defeats. He argues that he won't make the same mistake.
"When they fought Pantoja, a lot of people give him too much respect," Van said. "Even Kai [Kara-France], I don’t think he fought the same way he usually fights. Pantoja, he didn’t even have to try too hard to take him down because Kai was just backing up, backing up, and usually when you’re backing up against a wrestler, you get taken down. If Kai would have fought the way he usually fights, he could have done so much better."
Van's strategy? Just be himself. "That’s what me and my team talk about, too. The main thing is just be myself come fight day because nobody fights like Joshua Van. I don’t fight like nobody else, too. That’s going to be something different."
He acknowledges Pantoja's dangers, particularly his relentless durability. Van is prepared for a grueling fight.
"He’s good. He’s very, very good," Van said about Pantoja. "He’s not a technical guy but he’s a dog. He’s bringing that fight no matter [what]. It don’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."
He elaborates on Pantoja's tenacity. "You can hit him as hard as you can but he will always come back. Sometimes that type of shit breaks guys. He’s a dog."
If Van pulls off the upset, he'll not only be the first to defeat Pantoja in over five years, but he'll also become champion just ten fights into his UFC career. It's a monumental task for the 24-year-old, but he believes he's ready for the life-changing aftermath.
"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 Dec. 6. It’s going to be a great fight."
Ultimately, Van intends to stay grounded. "I just like to keep the same people around me. I don’t think I’ll be any different just because of the belt."
So, is Joshua Van ready for this title shot, or is he being rushed? Will his confidence and unique fighting style be enough to dethrone the champion? And do you agree with his assessment that previous opponents gave Pantoja too much respect? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
