Joshua Van targeted for next title defense after UFC 331

Flyweight champion submitted Alexandre Pantoja in round five.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 211 min read

MMA

What happened: UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has drawn a challenge for a future title bout, per Sports Illustrated. Knockout artist Manel Kape has emerged as a likely opponent following the event at crypto.com Arena.

Why it matters: A matchup against Kape would test the titleholder against one of the division's premier strikers. The rapid emergence of a new contender underscores the competitive density at the top of the 125-pound weight class.

By the numbers: Van advanced his professional record to 18-2-0 by finishing Pantoja at the 5:00 mark of the final round. The win marked another late stoppage for the champion, who previously finished Tatsuro Taira in the fifth round at UFC 328.

What to watch: The promotion has not yet announced a date or venue for the prospective title defense.

Sources

Sports Illustrated Sep 21, 8:20 AM ET

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Joshua Van targeted for next title defense after UFC 331

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