Myanmar’s Joshua Van defends UFC Flyweight Title against Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja

Joshua Van, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight Champion, successfully defended his title against Alexandre Pantoja by decision at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday.

“A lot of people will say that was an accident[al] win the first time… I just want to prove a point again,” Joshua Van, 25, told the crowd from the stage at Crypto.com Arena after this victory on Sept. 19. 

Throughout the title fight, Pantoja repeatedly attempted takedowns and submission holds, while Joshua Van relied on his punches and combinations. In the fifth round, Joshua Van attempted to finish Pantoja with a submission of his own, though he was unable to lock it in.

Pantoja, 36, is the previous UFC Flyweight champion who lost his belt to Joshua Van in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 6. 

Joshua Van, nicknamed “The Fearless,” became the second-youngest champion and first Asian male UFC champion in history.

On May 9, Van defended his UFC Flyweight belt with a technical knockout (TKO) against Japan’s Tatsuro Taira during UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Born Joshua Van Bawi Thawng in Hakha, Myanmar, he and his family were forced to flee their homes to Malaysia due to conflict when he was age 10. 

After two years living in a refugee camp in Malaysia, Joshua Van and his family relocated to Houston, Texas.

From May 22-27, Van visited Malaysia for a meet-and-greet with at least 2,000 fans in Kuala Lumpur, where he attended the Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) 25th anniversary event. 

On May 29, Joshua Van paid a visit to India’s Mizoram State where he met Chief Minister Lalduhoma in the state capital Aizawl. 

The two reportedly discussed youth empowerment, the development of local athletics, and the impact of international sporting achievements on the region’s youth.

Joshua Van won the rematch against Pantoja in Los Angeles by unanimous decision after 25 minutes of intense brawling. This is his second title defence.