The UFC has its first male champion from Asia. "Fearless" Joshua Van (24·Myanmar/USA) defeated "Carnival" Alashandri Pantoja (35·Brazil) to become the UFC flyweight (56.7kg) champion.
Van (16 wins, 2 losses) won by TKO due to an arm injury against Pantoja just 26 seconds into the first round at the co-main event of "UFC 323: Devalishvili vs. Yan 2" held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the 7th (Korea time). Pantoja threw a kick that Van checked, lifting his leg, and as Pantoja fell to the floor the arm he put out to brace himself was broken. Pantoja writhed in pain and waved his other hand to signal he could not continue the bout.
Van is the first male champion from Asia in the 32-year history of the UFC. He was born in Myanmar in 2001 and moved to the United States at age 12. He is the UFC's first champion born in the 21st century and, at 24 years and 57 days, became the second-youngest champion in UFC history after Jon Jones. He began mixed martial arts (MMA) training at 19 and reached the top of the world in five years.
In a postfight interview Van said, "I am so blessed. Now the world will never forget Joshua Van." He then proudly addressed his hometown: "People of Myanmar, now the world knows us."
It is unclear who his first title defense opponent will be. Because it was an unfortunate accident, Pantoja could get an immediate title shot after recovering from his injury, or the opportunity could go to someone else, such as Taira Tatsuro, who defeated former champion Brandon Moreno that night.
Van said of the situation, "Pantoja was one of the greatest fighters in history, so I didn't want to win like this," and added, "UFC will find a solution." He then expressed confidence: "My name is 'Fearless,' so I will fight anyone the UFC puts in front of me."
In the main event, "No Mercy" Petr Yan (32·Russia) reclaimed the UFC bantamweight (61.2kg) throne for the first time in 4 years and 9 months. Yan earned a unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili (34·Georgia) (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) and began his second reign.
Revenge was sweet. In March 2023 Yan lost a decision to Dvalishvili after giving up 11 takedowns and dropping every round. Yan said he had been unable to use one arm because of an injury and vowed this time would be different, and he proved it. He repeatedly put Dvalishvili in a dazed state with powerful right-hand punches, body kicks and body shots. Even in the wrestling that Dvalishvili prides himself on, Yan came out ahead with takedown success of 5 to 2.
After the fight Yan said in an interview, "I'm really happy to stand here with the championship belt," and added, "Thank you to all the fans. I worked really hard for this moment. This is my life," reflecting on regaining the championship.
He finally overcame misfortune. Yan's career, which had soared after he became champion two years after his 2020 UFC debut, began to derail at UFC 259 in March 2021. Yan lost his belt to Aljamain Sterling because of an illegal knee. He then challenged Sterling but lost by split decision. He suffered his first three-fight losing streak in his career. But he did not give up; he redoubled his efforts and recorded four consecutive wins to return to the top of the world.
Dvalishvili, who had his championship belt taken, wants an immediate rematch. But Yan expressed a negative position on that. At the postfight news conference he said, "The UFC made me fight three more times before I could get another title shot," and added, "Dvalishvili should get in a bathtub and think it over."
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