UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has revealed that he fought through a significant shoulder injury before successfully defending his title against former champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331.
Van delivered another standout performance in Los Angeles, earning a decisive victory over Pantoja across five rounds to secure the second defense of his flyweight crown. While many questioned whether the 24-year-old could handle one of the division’s greatest champions, Van answered those doubts inside the Octagon.
What fans didn’t know was that the champion entered the fight carrying an injury that severely disrupted his training camp.
Speaking at the UFC 331 post-fight press conference, Joshua Van spoke on shoulder injury issues that limited his preparation for the title rematch.
“Coming into this fight, after the press conference in Philly, I tore my AC joint in my right shoulder and I couldn’t even spar,” Van said. “So the last two weeks was my first time sparring, and this camp we did nothing but cardio, just running and stuff like that. I’ve got to go back there and get MRIs and get checked up, so hopefully nothing major.”
Despite the setback, Van still produced one of the most impressive performances of his career. Rather than focusing on full-contact training, the champion relied heavily on conditioning work throughout camp, a decision that appeared to pay dividends during the five-round championship bout.
Van maintained a relentless pace against Pantoja and looked fresher as the fight progressed, consistently matching the former champion’s pressure while showcasing his sharp striking throughout the contest.
The champion also credited teammate Michael Aswell for helping keep him motivated during a difficult training camp. Both fighters battled injuries leading into UFC 331 but refused to withdraw from their respective bouts.
“Man, Aswell being in the same camp is a motivation for me,” Van said. “Like I said, I just came back from my injury to spar my first time, and he hurt his fing rib and we’re like, f* that, we ain’t pulling out. So both of us are injured coming into this fight and, you know, gddammit, we push through it.”
Following the biggest win of his championship reign, Van admitted he was still processing the moment and the physical toll of the fight.
“I feel pain,” Van joked.”Nah man, like I said, Pantoja is a great fighter. He’s one of the greatest of all time in my eyes. Fighting him five rounds like that, I’m grateful for that.”
While the extent of the injury remains unclear until further medical evaluations are completed, Joshua Van speaks on shoulder injury concerns with optimism. The young champion plans to undergo additional scans and assessments before determining his next move.
Potential challengers are already lining up, with top-ranked contender Manel Kape emerging as a likely candidate for Van’s next title defense. However, the champion appears focused on recovery before discussing future opponents.
