Joshua Van Claims UFC Flyweight Title After Alexandre Pantoja Suffers Gruesome Arm Injury

LAS VEGAS — What was billed as one of the most anticipated flyweight title fights in years ended in stunning, heartbreaking, and anticlimactic fashion. Joshua Van is now the UFC’s new 125-pound champion after defending titleholder Alexandre Pantoja suffered a horrific arm injury just 26 seconds into their UFC 323 co-main event Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The sequence unfolded instantly: Van (16-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) caught a Pantoja (30-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC) body kick and moved in to secure a takedown. As the champion attempted to post on his arm to brace his fall, his limb appeared to pop or snap, immediately sending him to the canvas in agony. Referee Mark Goddard halted the fight moments later.

Pantoja clutched his injured arm as he apologized repeatedly, visibly devastated, before being escorted from the Octagon by UFC medical personnel. The exact nature of the injury was not immediately confirmed, though multiple broadcast angles showed a disturbing dislocation or break.

While the ending was unfortunate, Joshua Van embraced a watershed moment in his career and for his country.

Surrounded by his family, coaches, and manager, Van held the Myanmar flag high as he became:

• The first UFC champion from Myanmar

• The first Asia-born male UFC champion in history

• The second-youngest UFC champion ever

The 22-year-old prospect has stormed through the ranks in just a handful of UFC appearances, but even he couldn’t have anticipated gold coming this quickly or this strangely. “It’s not the way you want to win, but I’m grateful,” Van said in the cage. “I hope Pantoja heals up.”