The co-main event of UFC 323 delivered one of the most unexpected moments in recent UFC history.
What was supposed to be a high-level flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van turned into a disappointing scene for MMA fans worldwide.
The bout ended far earlier than anyone expected, leaving more questions than answers and sparking immediate discussions about whether a rematch is coming soon.
The topic of Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja rematch has taken over MMA forums, social media, and post-fight debates.
Fans believe a second fight is inevitable, but the situation is far more complicated because the ending of the fight wasn’t normal it was the result of a serious injury.
This article breaks down everything:
- What happened at UFC 323
- Why fans believe the rematch should happen
- How serious Pantoja’s injury is
- Dana White’s comments
- The chances of Joshua Van defending the belt before the rematch
- Realistic timeline for the rematch
Let’s go step by step.
What Happened at UFC 323? The Fight That Never Got Started
The Pantoja vs Van matchup had all the ingredients of a classic flyweight showdown.
- Pantoja came in focused, sharp, and full of confidence as the defending champion.
- Joshua Van looked calm, composed, and ready for the biggest moment of his young UFC career.
Once the fight began, both fighters exchanged strikes aggressively. Pantoja opened with his usual pressure, and Van responded with clean counters.
Nobody expected the fight to end the way it did — not by knockout, not by submission, but by accident.
During an early scramble, Alexandre Pantoja suffered a severe elbow injury. His arm bent in a direction it shouldn’t, and the referee had no choice but to stop the fight.
This left Joshua Van as the winner, but not through a dominant performance instead, through unfortunate circumstances.
This is why so many fans are calling it “lucky,” and why a rematch is being discussed already.
Why Fans Want Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja Rematch
- The MMA world hates unclear endings.
- Fighters hate them even more.
Here’s why fans strongly believe a rematch should happen:
1. The fight ended without a real result
- There was no knockout.
- No submission.
- No tactical victory.
- Just an injury.
This leaves the rivalry unresolved.
2. Pantoja was still in the fight
The injury occurred early. Neither fighter had taken control of the match yet.
3. Joshua Van is newly crowned but untested as champion
Fans want to see if he can beat a healthy Pantoja.
4. The UFC has a history of immediate rematches after freak injuries
Examples include:
- Chris Weidman vs Anderson Silva 2
- Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3
- Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan 2
The UFC always tries to fix an unclear result as soon as possible.
Joshua Van “Got Lucky” But It’s Not His Fault
Many fans are saying Joshua Van got lucky at UFC 323. And in a way, it’s true. But it’s also not fair to blame Van.
He didn’t cause the injury intentionally. He simply showed up, fought, and things happened in a way nobody wanted.
The narrative around “lucky win” is only there because the fans didn’t get the true fight they paid to see.
Still, this storyline makes the rematch even bigger. It adds intensity, questions, and anticipation — all things that build a great championship rivalry.
How Serious Is Alexandre Pantoja’s Injury?
This is the most important part of the entire rematch discussion.
The injury is not minor. Reports confirm it was a major elbow dislocation, and these injuries take a long time to heal fully.
Key points about this injury type:
- Recovery is slow
- Mobility never becomes exactly the same
- Strength takes months to return
- Fighters need long rehabilitation
- Returning too early increases risk of re-injury
Even after recovery, the arm may not feel “normal” again for a long time.
For a fighter like Pantoja who relies heavily on grappling, scrambles, wrist control, and ground transitions — this injury affects everything.
Dana White’s Post-Fight Comments Point to a Delay
Dana White was very clear during the post-fight press conference:
Alexandre Pantoja is not coming back anytime soon.
The UFC President hinted that Pantoja will take a long break. This means we shouldn’t expect to see him back in the octagon soon.
Dana White’s message was simple: The rematch will not happen until Pantoja fully recovers.
This tells us something important the UFC is probably planning for Joshua Van to defend the belt at least once before Pantoja returns.
Will Joshua Van Defend the Title Before the Rematch?
Based on everything we know, the answer is yes.
Here’s why:
1. The UFC won’t keep the title inactive
The flyweight division needs active champions. The UFC doesn’t like long gaps unless there’s no other choice.
2. Pantoja’s injury requires time
Even an optimistic recovery would take several months.
3. Van needs to prove himself
The UFC will want Van to show he’s a legitimate champion by defending his title against another contender.
Potential opponents for Van before the rematch could include:
- Brandon Royval
- Amir Albazi
- Muhammad Mokaev
- Matheus Nicolau
- Kai Kara-France (if he wins his next fight)
Any of these matchups would test Van as a champion for the first time.
If Van loses the belt before Pantoja returns, the rematch becomes less certain.
If Van keeps the belt, the rematch becomes the biggest storyline in the flyweight division.
When Can the Rematch Realistically Happen?
Considering the injury, rehabilitation, training camp, and UFC scheduling, the rematch timeline looks like this:
Minimum timeline: 8–10 months
This includes:
- 3–6 months healing
- 2 months regaining mobility and strength
- 3 months training camp
If recovery goes slower, it could take 12 months or more before Pantoja is fully ready.
So the rematch is unlikely to happen early. Fans should expect it next year.
Does the UFC Want the Rematch? Yes — But Only at the Right Time
From a business perspective:
- The rematch sells
- The storyline is strong
- The fans want it
- Both fighters’ reputations depend on it
But the UFC never rushes fighters back from serious injuries. Especially champions.
Dana White’s comments show the UFC will wait until Pantoja is truly ready.
What If Joshua Van Loses the Belt Before Pantoja Returns?
This creates two possible scenarios:
1. Van remains champion – Rematch happens immediately
This is the ideal scenario for fans.
It completes the unfinished story.
2. Van loses the belt – Rematch may still happen, but not for the title
If Van loses before Pantoja comes back, the UFC might still book the rematch — but only if it makes sense ranking-wise.
But the hype won’t be as big if there’s no title involved.
So the entire rematch depends heavily on one thing:
Can Joshua Van defend the championship?
Joshua Van’s Role in Making the Rematch Bigger
Joshua Van is now the youngest flyweight champion and one of the youngest champions in UFC history.
This gives him momentum in his career, but also pressure.
Every performance from now on will affect how big the rematch becomes.
If Van dominates future fights, the rematch becomes a huge PPV storyline: Young champion vs injured former champion hungry for revenge.
If Van struggles or loses his belt, the rematch becomes just another contender fight.
So the stakes are high on both sides.
The Psychological Side: Pantoja’s Mindset After the Injury
Fighters who suffer major injuries often face mental hurdles:
- Fear of re-injury
- Hesitation in grappling
- Reduced confidence
- Slow pace in training
- Longer path to peak performance
Pantoja is a warrior, but even the toughest fighters need time to recover mentally and physically.
Fans should be prepared that the Pantoja we see next may be slightly different at first.
Is the Rematch Guaranteed?
Right now, the honest answer is:
YES — but only if certain conditions are met.
These conditions are:
- Pantoja recovers fully
- Van remains champion
- The UFC sees value in the timing
- Pantoja’s return fight is scheduled at the right event
All signs point to the rematch happening eventually.
The UFC knows the fans want closure.
The fighters themselves want a fair result.
But it will not happen soon.
Final Verdict: Will Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja Rematch Happen Soon?
Here’s the conclusion based on everything available:
- A rematch is very likely
- But it won’t happen soon
- Van will probably defend his title first
- Pantoja needs a long recovery time
- If Van is still champion when Pantoja returns, the rematch is guaranteed
- If Van loses the belt, the rematch becomes uncertain
Fans should expect the rematch, but not in the next few months.
It will take time, patience, and proper recovery on Pantoja’s side.
When it finally happens, it will be one of the most anticipated flyweight fights in years.
About the Author
