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UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van Reveals Training Injury Ahead of UFC 331

By MMAReign News Desk·Sep 20, 2026 • 6:01 PM

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van revealed he was unable to spar during his training camp for UFC 331 due to an injury, yet he still managed to defeat Alexandre Pantoja by decision.

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van recently disclosed that he entered his UFC 331 title defense against Alexandre Pantoja while dealing with a significant injury. Despite the setback, the 24-year-old champion successfully navigated the bout, securing a dominant decision victory over the former titleholder to record his second successful title defense.

According to reports from MMA Mania, Van noted that his training camp was severely hampered by the physical issue, stating that he was unable to participate in sparring sessions leading up to the event. The revelation sheds light on the adversity the young champion faced in the lead-up to what many considered his toughest test to date in the flyweight division. Van managed to silence critics who questioned his ability to handle the veteran Pantoja, delivering a performance that reinforced his standing as the premier talent in the weight class.

For fantasy managers, this disclosure highlights the resilience of the current champion, though it serves as a reminder to monitor injury reports closely as they can impact performance outcomes despite final scorecards. Van's ability to overcome such a disadvantage suggests a high level of technical competency that may warrant continued confidence in his championship reign moving forward.


Source: MMA Mania.

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