Joshua Van Reveals Torn AC Joint Before UFC 331 Win

Joshua Van fought through a torn AC joint in his right shoulder to retain the UFC flyweight title at UFC 331, beating former champion Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Van revealed the injury at the post-fight press conference, saying it happened right after the pre-fight presser in Philadelphia in August and wrecked his ability to prepare the way he wanted. "Coming into this fight after the press conference in Philly, I tore my AC joint in my right shoulder and I couldn't even spar," Van said. He said the injury forced him to scrap sparring for almost the entire camp and lean on conditioning work instead. "So, the last two weeks was my first time sparring, and this camp we did nothing but cardio. Just running and stuff like that," he said. Van added that he still needs imaging to know the full extent of the damage, saying he plans to get an MRI and hopes "nothing major" turns up.

What This Means for Van's Next Title Defense

Van beating Pantoja on a compromised camp says more about his ceiling than a clean win would have. He out-worked a former champion despite skipping live sparring for most of camp, which is the kind of detail that tends to move a fighter up rankings and up in betting circles even without a highlight finish. It also means his next outing is very much in question. Van did not call out a challenger after the win and said he'll take whatever fight the UFC offers, and given he's coming off this injury, a third title defense before the end of the year looks unlikely. Manel Kape, the top-ranked flyweight contender who has finished his last four opponents, is the name most likely to get the call once Van is fully healthy.

Betting Angle

For bettors, the injury reveal reframes how sharp Van actually looked. Beating a killer like Pantoja without a normal camp is a strong signal for anyone shopping futures on the flyweight title, and it should keep him near the top of that market once a challenger is named. Kape profiles as the live betting angle to watch given his finishing streak, but nothing is official yet, so any line for that pairing is speculation until the UFC makes it real.

Frequently Asked Questions

What injury did Joshua Van have before UFC 331?

Joshua Van revealed he tore the AC joint in his right shoulder shortly after the UFC 331 pre-fight press conference in Philadelphia, which limited him to cardio training for most of his camp against Alexandre Pantoja.

Did Joshua Van beat Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331?

Yes, Joshua Van retained his UFC flyweight title by unanimous decision over former champion Alexandre Pantoja on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Who could Joshua Van fight next for the flyweight title?

Joshua Van has not called out a specific opponent, but top-ranked flyweight contender Manel Kape, who has finished his last four opponents, is seen as the frontrunner for the next title shot.