There were various forms of chaos at UFC 323, but none were more disturbing and consequential than the sudden and horrific end to Alexandre Pantoja’s flyweight title reign.
The co-main event between Pantoja and 24-year-old phenom Joshua Van lasted just 26 seconds before disaster struck. After absorbing a head kick, Van grabbed the champion’s legs, forcing him backwards to the canvas. As Pantoja used his arm to break the fall, his elbow appeared to be violently dislocated or broken on impact. The shocking scene immediately stopped play and handed the champions their first defeat in their past eight games.
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Before Saturday’s broadcast concluded, UFC officials clarified that Pantoja actually suffered a dislocated shoulder and not an injured elbow. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the update during the UFC 323 post-fight press conference, warning that he did not expect the former champion to return in time for an immediate rematch.
“They put his shoulder back in,” White said. “I thought it was the elbow. No, not the elbow, it was his shoulder and they popped it backstage. Now they have to do an MRI and check the ligaments and see what’s going on. We don’t have a timetable on how long he’s going to be out.”
“Whatever happens, listen, I’m not a fucking doctor or anything, but I don’t think he’s going to be back anytime soon,” White added. “I think there will be a Dana White gives update on Alexandre Pantoja’s injury, while Joshua Van sends blunt message to critics: ‘F*** them’ defense [by Van] before he comes back. I think he needs some time. “
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With the win, Van becomes the second-youngest champion in UFC history – adding to his meteoric rise to power with four wins and a six-fight winning streak in 2025. However, even with the victory, the new champion was not satisfied with how the moment turned out.
“It’s been kill or be killed all week. I knew I was going to win this fight, but I certainly didn’t want the fight to end this way,” Pham said. “immediately [Pantoja] Recovered, I wanted to run it back. I have a lot of respect for him, he’s one of the greatest of all time.
“It doesn’t matter [if he’s next]but I think he is worth it. Whatever the UFC wants is what I’ll do next, but I do want to run back with him, that’s for sure. “
Van’s first challenger in the interim could be Japan’s Tatsuro Hira, who scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 323 when he defeated former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.
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Still, Pham’s priority remains proving himself, no matter how many times he needs to do so.
He has a blunt message for anyone who questions his legitimacy as champion.
“Fuck them,” Van said. “If you do good, they’re gonna talk shit, if you’re not good, they’re gonna talk shit. So do what makes you happy. It doesn’t matter what they think, man. I win.”
