Joshua Van Reveals Shoulder Injury Before UFC 331 Win

Joshua Van, UFC flyweight champion, disclosed an injury he sustained before his victory at UFC 331 against Alexandre Pantoja.

Following Pantoja's injury in their initial fight, some labeled Van a fluke champion. However, his recent decisive win over the veteran likely silenced many critics.

Van, despite his youth, continues to impress by overcoming top contenders in the 125-pound division. This win marks a significant moment he has long awaited.

In a post-fight interview, Van shared that he experienced significant issues leading up to fight night.

"After the press conference in Philly on August 14th, I tore my AC joint in my right shoulder," Van told reporters. "I couldn't even spar. The last two weeks were my first time sparring. This camp focused solely on cardio, just running and similar exercises. I need to get MRIs and a check-up; hopefully, it's nothing major."

Van acknowledged hurting Pantoja but noted the veteran's resilience. "I knew I hurt him, but he's a mental giant," Van said. "He just doesn't want to fall or show he's hurt. But I know deep down he was hurting. That's why I respect him so much."

He added, "There was nothing to prove. I knew I was going to win the first fight too. So it was just a matter of, 'Okay, you guys want to see me win again?' That's all."

Joshua Van Reveals Shoulder Injury Before UFC 331 Win

Joshua Van, the UFC flyweight champion, revealed he fought through a shoulder injury to secure his victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331.

The injury, a torn AC joint in his right shoulder, occurred two weeks prior to the fight, severely limiting his preparation. Van shared that he was unable to spar during this critical period, with training focusing almost entirely on cardiovascular conditioning.

"The last two weeks was my first time sparring, and this camp we did nothing but cardio," Van stated at the post-event news conference. He expressed hope that medical checks would reveal no significant long-term damage.

Van's performance against Pantoja, a veteran fighter, has been praised, particularly after some questioned his legitimacy as champion following Pantoja's prior injury withdrawal. Van's ability to overcome adversity and secure a decisive win has strengthened his standing in the division.

Despite recognizing he had Pantoja hurt during the fight, Van highlighted Pantoja's mental toughness. "He just doesn't want to fall, and he doesn't want to show that he's hurt," Van observed, reiterating his respect for his opponent.

Van concluded by stating he felt no need to prove himself, believing in his ability to win the rematch just as he had anticipated winning their first encounter.