Joshua Van: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Joshua Van and Usman Nurmagomedov top ESPN's 2026 MMA 30 Under 30 rankings, according to a list published Tuesday that features a mix of reigning titleholders, former champions and rising contenders.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 1

Moreno Returns Against Fighter Who KO'd Van

Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will face Charles Johnson at UFC 335 in December, according to MMA Fighting. Johnson handed current titleholder Joshua Van his only career knockout loss in July 2024 at UFC Denver.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / October 1

Two-Time UFC Champion Targets Joshua Van Title Fight After UFC 332

Arguably the biggest name competing on this Saturday’s UFC 332 card already has an ambitious idea in mind for his next fight. Set to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT, UFC 332 is headlined by a fight for the vacant women’s flyweight belt featuring top contenders Natália Silva and Cong Wang.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / October 1

UFC 335 Gets First Matchup as Former Champ Returns Against Veteran Who Knocked Out Joshua Van

The UFC is looking to end the year with a bang! A former champion is returning to the Octagon to square off against the man who knocked out flyweight champion Joshua Van in the first fight announced for UFC 335.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / October 1

UFC Stars Joshua Van & Manel Kape Trade Words Ahead of Potential UFC Title Fight

It may not be officially booked yet, but Joshua Van and Manel Kape are already hard at work drumming up interest around a potential UFC flyweight title fight.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 1

Van Fires Back At Kape After Bra Shopping Jab

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van traded personal insults with Manel Kape as their verbal feud intensified ahead of a potential title clash. Kape accused Van of hiding and avoiding the matchup, per Sherdog, prompting the champion to fire back with a pointed response on social media.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 1

Rodriguez Calls Out Van After UFC 332

Undefeated flyweight Imanol Rodriguez has called out champion Joshua Van ahead of his UFC 332 prelim bout against Van's teammate Alden Coria. Rodriguez told Sherdog in a pre-fight interview that he plans to target a ranked opponent if he beats Coria on Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 30

Figueiredo Confirms Flyweight Return, Eyes Van Clash

Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo has reversed course on a long-standing position, saying he will return to 125 pounds to chase current titleholder Joshua Van after his UFC 332 appearance this weekend.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 30

Van Tells Kape To Start Cutting Ahead Of Title Fight

Joshua Van has already started mind games with Manel Kape ahead of their expected flyweight title clash. Van, who retained his title at UFC 331 with a decision win over Alexandre Pantoja in their rematch, warned his top contender about weight issues on social media.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 24

Van Defends Title At UFC 331 As Tsarukyan Earns Shot

Joshua Van ended his rivalry with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, defending his flyweight title with what MMA Fighting called a spectacular performance in the main event.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 23

Van Soars To No. 3 After Pantoja Win

Joshua Van has vaulted into the top three of MMA Fighting's pound-for-pound rankings after beating Alexandre Pantoja for the second time at UFC 331. The flyweight champion, who turns 25 next month, jumped from 11th to third in the latest update following his five-round decision over the former titleholder.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 23

Sean O'Malley discusses what's next for Joshua Van

Joshua Van has got the entire sport talking. From almost being scrapped to headlining a huge event, the UFC’s flyweight division has gone through the wringer.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / September 23

UFC Champ Joshua Van Reveals How Joe Rogan's Comment Bothered Him Before UFC 331

Joshua Van entered UFC 331 with a point to prove that his first victory over Alexandre Pantoja, which resulted in an injury TKO, was not a fluke. Van dismissed critics, including Pantoja himself, but when Joe Rogan echoed that sentiment at the ceremonial weigh-ins, Van admitted after their rematch that it hit him differently.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 23

Van Reveals Why He Flipped Poirier Footage

Joshua Van used to flip Dustin Poirier's fight footage horizontally before studying it. The UFC flyweight champion, who defended his title against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 earlier this month, told Ariel Helwani he reversed Poirier's tape because the former lightweight contender fights southpaw while Van is orthodox.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / September 23

UFC Vegas 121 preview: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Raoni Barcelos start time, full card, and how to watch

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the UFC’s return to the Apex on September 26. This past weekend, MMA fans got to enjoy another numbered event when UFC 331 landed in California, with Joshua Van successfully defending his title in the main event.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 22

Joshua Van On Joe Rogan's 'Accident' Narrative

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van took issue with Joe Rogan's pre-fight framing of his title defense against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331. Van, who retained

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 22

Joshua Van explains why he didn't pull out of UFC 331 despite suffering severe injury

Joshua Van‘s performance at UFC 331 is that much more iconic after the details of his injury have been released. A grudge match with the man he took the title from headlined the event on Saturday.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / September 22

Top 3 Contenders for Joshua Van's UFC Title After His Latest Victory

Joshua Van’s second UFC flyweight title defense has changed the championship picture at 125 pounds, with the champion now looking toward a new group of contenders after settling his rivalry with Alexandre Pantoja.

MMA News / Anubis Sports / September 21

UFC 331 Recap: Storylines and Fights to Make

Although he defended his title earlier this year against Tatsuro Taira, Joshua Van’s victory at UFC 331 on Saturday solidified his claim as king of the 125-pound division.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 21

Joshua Van opens as betting underdog for potential next UFC title defense

Joshua Van successfully silenced the doubters with an all-time performance against one of the greats, Alexandre Pantoja, on Saturday night. But the display clearly didn’t earn him enough respect, as Van opens up as the betting underdog for his next potential fight.

MMA News / Lindy's Sports / September 20

UFC: Joshua Van is The Man

In an instant classic that will immediately become a 2026 Fight of the Year contender, UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van defeated rival Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision for his second successful title defense in the main event of UFC 331.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 20

Van Reveals Injury That Derailed UFC 331 Camp

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van tore his right shoulder weeks before defending his title against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331, forcing him to abandon sparring and rely on cardio work alone through most of camp.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / September 20

Joshua Van outworks Alexandre Pantoja in fight of the year contender at UFC 331

Flyweight champion Joshua Van. Former flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja. A true rivalry for all the marbles. That is the fight that headlined UFC 331 on Saturday.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / September 18

UFC 331: What Time Does Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 Main Event Start?

UFC 331 is headlined by one of the most unusual, yet most hyped-up title rematches in recent memory. Joshua Van defends the flyweight championship against

MMA News / Stadium Rant / September 18

UFC 331 Prediction: Who Wins Joshua Van Vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2?

UFC 331 takes place on Saturday, September 19, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his title against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in the main event.

MMA News / Lindy's Sports / September 18

UFC 331 Predictions for Van vs. Pantoja 2

UFC 331 takes place on Saturday, September 19, at Crypto.com Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ahead of this weekend’s big card, here are our predictions for all 12 fights.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / September 16

UFC 331: Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 Preview & Storylines

The first fight between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja lasted just 26 seconds. Van was crowned the UFC flyweight champion when he blocked a kick from Pantoja and threw him to the ground, resulting in a freak arm injury that robbed fans of the possibility of a great championship fight.