Joshua Van has rapidly ascended through the UFC flyweight ranks, capturing significant attention following two impressive victories in quick succession. A knockout win was swiftly followed by a hard-fought decision over ranked contender Brandon Royval just three weeks later. This accelerated trajectory has positioned Van for a potential championship opportunity against reigning titleholder Alexandre Pantoja.
Naturally, such a swift rise invites scrutiny, and the commentary surrounding Van`s readiness for a title bout has been extensive. While his striking and heart have been lauded, the dominant narrative among observers often questions his preparedness for the specific challenges Pantoja presents, particularly the champion`s formidable grappling prowess.
Alexandre Pantoja is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a track record of securing submissions. His recent defense against Kai Kara-France, ending in a submission, reinforced his reputation as one of the division`s most dangerous ground fighters. Given this, the focus on Van`s grappling defense – despite his reported 81 percent takedown defense rate in the UFC – becomes the central point of discussion among pundits and fans speculating on his title fight prospects.
Van, however, appears largely unfazed by this external analysis. He acknowledges the existence of these doubts but frames them simply as opinions. His approach remains consistent: focus on the work. Addressing the grappling concern directly, Van offers a perspective that is both pragmatic and, perhaps, slightly understated: he states he “just don’t like hugging another man in a fight.” According to Van, this preference is partly why his ground game isn`t always showcased. Yet, he asserts that the skills are present and accessible when needed, citing instances where he has utilized grappling effectively, particularly when finding himself in difficult positions.
For Van, the question of whether he can defend Pantoja`s takedowns is almost rhetorical. He logically asks why he would even contemplate taking the fight if he and his team lacked confidence in their ability to handle the champion`s strengths. The belief in his capabilities and his coaching staff`s strategic planning is the foundation of his readiness.
Reflecting on Pantoja`s recent performance against Kai Kara-France, Van speculates that Kara-France may have approached the fight with excessive deference to the champion`s reputation or potentially wasn`t competing at full health. This observation hints at Van`s potential strategy – to engage Pantoja without being overly respectful of his established dominance, regardless of the area of combat.
While awaiting an official date and location for the potential title clash, Van is already engaged in mental preparation. He is prioritizing physical recovery after his demanding recent schedule. His training camp, when it commences, will be approached with the same conviction as any other fight, refusing to cower to the perceived strengths of the opponent, including the grappling that many believe is his potential undoing. Van finds the notion that he could reach this level in the UFC “not knowing no ground” inherently illogical. He expresses firm confidence that he will be fully prepared to face the challenge when the fight day arrives.
