In the world of mixed martial arts, sometimes what appears to be a straightforward rivalry or fight outcome can spark heated debates and doubts about future matchups. And this is exactly the case with the anticipated rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja — many insiders and analysts believe it likely won't happen, and here's why. But here's where it gets controversial... some points might surprise you.
Dec. 18, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET, UFC analyst Din Thomas expressed a firm belief that the story between Van and Pantoja is essentially over. To recap, Van (15-2 in MMA, with a 9-1 record in the UFC) captured the flyweight title from Pantoja (whose MMA record stands at 30-6, with a 14-4 UFC record) at UFC 323. The fight ended prematurely just 26 seconds in when Pantoja suffered a severe arm injury, leading to Van's victory by injury TKO. Since there’s been no detailed update on the severity of Pantoja’s injury, Thomas feels the division is ready to move forward.
According to Thomas, Van is expected to face Manel Kape (22-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who recently delivered a commanding, statement-making TKO over Brandon Royval in the UFC on ESPN 73 main event this past Saturday. Van responded positively to Kape’s challenge and has expressed enthusiasm about fighting him at UFC Fight Night 266 scheduled for February 7 in Houston.
However, Thomas strongly doubts that Van will get a rematch with Pantoja. He explains, “Honestly, I don't think he gets Pantoja again. I think he fights Kape next.” The reason? The extent of Pantoja’s injury remains unknown even a week after the fight, and the analyst doubts that a simple sprain would postpone recovery so long. “If we still don’t know what the damage is after a week, it probably isn’t just a minor injury,” Thomas points out.
There’s more to this than just injuries. Thomas suggests that a rematch in the future, if it were to happen, would likely take place in an obscure or less prominent setting — perhaps years down the line — rather than as an immediate or high-profile clash. “That fight was an unusual, one-time event,” he remarks. “Van got the title in a strange situation, and I even appreciated his celebration afterward. But I don't see them fighting again soon. Instead, Van's focus will probably be on fighting Kape, and I personally believe Van might struggle to win that matchup.”
All of these insights raise a compelling question: Is the rivalry truly over, or could changes in injury recovery or division politics reopen the door for a future rematch? The MMA community is divided on whether Van versus Pantoja is a closed chapter or a bout that’s waiting to be rewritten. What’s your opinion on this? Do you think Van will secure future title defenses against other contenders, or is a Pantoja rematch still a possibility — perhaps when circumstances are more favorable?
