Joshua Van suffered major injury month before UFC 331

Joshua Van successfully defended his UFC flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 331 in Los Angeles on Saturday, claiming victory after an exciting five-round battle. The win marks Van's second consecutive defense of the belt he captured in their first meeting when Pantoja suffered a freak injury early in that contest. Van has now established himself as one of the UFC's brightest young stars at just 24 years old.

The path to Van's triumph was complicated by a serious shoulder injury sustained roughly a month before the fight. During the post-fight press conference, Van disclosed that he tore his AC joint in his right shoulder following the Philadelphia press conference and was unable to spar for an extended period. The final two weeks of his camp marked his first opportunity to resume sparring, forcing him to rely heavily on cardio work and conditioning drills in the lead-up to the bout.

Despite the injury setback, Van displayed the resilience that has come to define his early championship run. His teammate Michael Aswell also competed on the card, winning a decision over Joo Sang Yoo while managing his own rib injury. Both fighters pushed through their respective ailments to secure victories, a testament to their commitment and mental toughness. Van expressed gratitude for Pantoja's willingness to engage in such a grueling five-round war, calling the veteran "one of the greatest of all-time" in his estimation.

Moving forward, Van's timeline for his next title defense remains uncertain pending medical evaluation. Top contender Manel Kape is considered the frontrunner for a potential matchup, though Van indicated openness to any opponent the UFC matchmakers present. The champion plans to undergo MRIs and further medical testing to assess the full extent of his shoulder injury.