LOS ANGELES – What if Joshua Van told you he won a Fight of the Year candidate while competing with a severe disadvantage?
Van made the second successful defense of his flyweight title Saturday night by winning a unanimous decision over the man he claimed the belt from, Alexandre Pantoja, in the UFC 331 main event at Crypto.com Arena. Unlike their last encounter, there was no fight-ending fluke injury just seconds in. No, this time Van showed off his boxing on his way to a unanimous decision that left no doubt about his superiority over Pantoja.
And he did it after overcoming less-than-ideal circumstances in training camp.
"Coming into this fight after the press conference in Philly (on Aug. 14), I tore my AC joint in my right shoulder, and I couldn't
even spar," Van told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 331 post-event news conference. "So the last two weeks was my first time sparring, and this camp we did nothing but cardio. Just running and stuff like that. I've got to go back there and get MRIs and get checked up, so hopefully nothing major."
Pantoja (30-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) came out fighting furiously in Round 1, often getting the better of Van (18-2 MMA, 11-1 UFC) in the striking exchanges. But something changed in Round 2 and picked up even more steam in Round 3, with Van's display of hands.
"I knew I hurt him, but he's a mental giant," Van said. "He just don't want to fall, and he don't want to show that he's hurt. But I know deep down that he was hurt. Like I said, that's why I respect him so much."
He added, "There was nothing to prove, man. The first fight I knew I was gonna win, too. So it's just like, OK, you guys want to see me win again? It's just that."
Looking ahead to what's next for Van, a title fight against top contender Manel Kape figures to make the most sense – not that it matters much to the champ.
"Whoever can get it," Van said. "I'm 'The Fearless,' and I never pick and choose who I fight. So, Dana, Hunter, whoever y'all want in front of me, call me."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joshua Van makes startling admission after UFC 331 title win
