Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight title for the fifth time on Dec. 6, as he welcomes the challenge of surging contender Joshua Van in the co-main event of UFC 323, which takes place inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After four dominant successful title defenses, Pantoja heads into the championship bout as the betting favorite with -240 UFC odds, while Van, who currently rides a five-fight win streak, is going to be the +195 betting underdog.
UFC 323: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van Odds
- Alexandre Pantoja: -240
- Joshua Van: +195
UFC 323: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van: Tale of the Tape
| Alexandre Pantoja | Joshua Van | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 35 | 24 |
| Height | 5’5” | 5’5” |
| Reach | 67 inches | 65 inches |
| Leg Reach | 36.5 inches | 35 inches |
| Record | 30-5 | 15-2 |
| Fighting Style | MMA | Freestyle |
| Finishing Rate | 67% | 60% |
UFC 323: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van: Prediction
I predict a submission victory for Pantoja over Van, as he’s the better grappler among the two. This grappling-heavy style will shine on fight night, especially since Van is a striker and Pantoja can effectively neutralize his best attacks through takedowns.
Pantoja is currently at the peak of his career, and I still don’t see anyone in the flyweight division who can rival his skill set, particularly his Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The Cannibal has proved that he can beat elite strikers using his grappling, much like he did against Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.
Another major factor in this match is experience, with Pantoja having all the championship experience on his side. On the other hand, Van is still a young athlete who has had a meteoric rise. If the fight goes to the fourth and fifth rounds, the advantage will be on Pantoja.
Alexandre Pantoja’s Recent Fight Results
Pantoja has been the UFC flyweight king since July 2023, when he dethroned Brandon Moreno. He fended off the challenges from Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Asakura, and Kara-France to extend his reign in the division.
Joshua Van’s Recent Fight Results
Van made his octagon debut in June 2023, and since then, he has won eight of his nine fights in the UFC. He earned his title shot through his five-fight win streak, as he defeated Edgar Chairez, Cody Durden, Rei Tsuruya, Bruno Silva, and Royval.
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