Overview
- Pantoja told multiple outlets on Sunday that he is healed from the arm injury he suffered at UFC 323 and is back in training and ready to rematch Van.
- Their December title fight ended in about 26 seconds when Pantoja sustained a severe elbow/arm dislocation and lost by injury TKO.
- Joshua Van has since solidified his reign by defending the flyweight title in May with a fifth‑round stoppage of Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328.
- Other contenders such as Manel Kape and Brandon Royval have won key fights during Pantoja’s recovery, increasing pressure on UFC matchmaking for who fights next.
- Media have linked an unconfirmed Van–Pantoja rematch to UFC 331 in September but no bout has been officially booked and the UFC must balance the rematch narrative with Van’s defense and active challengers.