Jorge Masvidal sees greatness in UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van.
Van (18-2 MMA, 11-1 UFC) notched his second title defense when he defeated Alexandre Pantoja (30-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) a second time in Saturday's UFC 331 headliner at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Van is expected to face streaking contender Manel Kape next, and if the 24-year-old can pass that test, Masvidal is already willing to separate him from any other flyweight – including legendary former UFC champ Demetrious Johnson.
"I'm going to say something crazy: Van gets through Kape, I think he might be the greatest flyweight in my book," Masvidal said on "Deep Waters." "I know 'Mighty Mouse' has more defenses and everything, but it's like the body of work that (Van has) done in such
time, and the guys that he's beaten, the way that he's beating them."
With Johnson having defended his UFC title a record 11 consecutive times, Masvidal was asked how he could put Van No. 1 with just a third defense. Masvidal explained why he would like Van's chances against a prime Johnson.
"A big part of me, yeah," Masvidal responded. "I know because of the wrestling and the control and the endurance of DJ is completely another level. But, brother, the way that he's hitting people and the way that he's able to deal with – I think on the ground, Pantoja is more dangerous than 'Mighty Mouse.' 'Mighty Mouse' is an animal obviously on the ground, but I think Pantoja is just a little bit more dangerous.
"'Mighty Mouse' has better wrestling. I think he can take Van down, but I don't think he'd be able to hold him down and control him, and eventually they'll have to get back up on the feet. 'Mighty Mouse' is the most well rounded guy on the feet that I've possibly seen, so it's still going to be a fight. I just think with those hands, speed and conditioning of Van right now, nobody could beat him."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joshua Van, flyweight GOAT? UFC legend says it's possible sooner than you think
