A dramatic twist unfolded at UFC 323 inside the T-Mobile Arena as Alexandre Pantoja’s fifth flyweight title defense ended abruptly due to an early arm injury. Just 26 seconds into the fight against Joshua Van, the Brazilian appeared to injure his arm while attempting a break fall, bringing an unexpected halt to his championship reign.
According to the UFC broadcast team, the promotion’s chief medical physician confirmed that Pantoja’s shoulder popped back into place on its own, though further medical evaluations are required. While fans quickly began calling for an immediate rematch, UFC president Dana White appears to be steering the division in a different direction.
Following significant international expansion into Qatar and Azerbaijan earlier this year, the UFC is now reportedly targeting Japan as the destination for Joshua Van’s first title defense. Japan holds a historic place in the evolution of modern MMA, but the UFC has never hosted a major event there. If finalized, the event would mark the promotion’s first appearance in East/Southeast Asia in nearly a decade.
The timing aligns perfectly with the rise of Japanese star Tatsuro Taira, who knocked out former champion Brandon Moreno in the second round at UFC 323. A matchup between Van and Taira would become the first UFC title fight between two male Asian fighters, making it a landmark moment for the flyweight division.
At 36, Pantoja now faces a critical period in his career. Despite the abrupt setback, he reassured fans on Instagram before heading to the hospital.
“I’ve been through worse. I’ll come back even stronger. Thank you for the messages.”
He later revealed he was unhappy with how the fight ended but said encouraging words from Dana White helped keep his spirits high.
Online reactions were split, with some fans arguing that Van’s title win should not count as a “real” victory due to the sudden injury. Others called for an immediate rematch once Pantoja recovers. However, White confirmed that the UFC has no timeline for Pantoja’s return.
