Former Title Challenger Names Alexandre Pantoja’s 3 Biggest Threats and It’s Not Joshua Van

Alexandre Pantoja quickly asceneding to all-time flyweight GOAT state, but barring Joshua Van, other contenders can pose danger to his reign.

Former Title Challenger Names Alexandre Pantoja’s 3 Biggest Threats and It’s Not Joshua Van

Steve Erceg names UFC flyweights to face Alexandre Pantoja, barring Joshua Van (Source: X)

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The UFC’s flyweight titleholder has no plans to leave his throne anytime soon. Alexandre Pantoja has been a dominant force with very few divisional peers left to match up with. With longtime reigning former 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev relinquishing, his 4 title defenses are a record high among active champs. Pantoja is likely to face Joshua Van in his next outing.

Many believe that Alexandre Pantoja doesn’t get his proper dues with what he has achieved at 125 pounds. Joe Rogan and ATT mate Kayla Harrison thought he should be under consideration for a Best Fighter ESPY. The Brazilian has a record high number of defenses on UFC leaderboards and bills he can take over Demetrious Johnson’s record for consecutive defenses in a year or two.

Although he has been very impressive, ‘The Cannibal’ went through the wringer with Steve Erceg nearly grabbing the gold at UFC 301 PPV. The Aussie standout recently named himself and Brandon Moreno as toughest tests to the champ. Other than that, Erceg has another name in mind, not Joshua Van, though:

I think honestly, Moreno’s always got a chance to beat him. He’s obviously very good. Obviously, I believe that I can, but the other person I’d put in that bracket is Taira. I think Taira’s really good..[Me?] Exactly, yeah…as you said. It’s…I just need to get some wins back on the board. So whether that’s against a top five ranked guy, if that’s against a guy outside the rankings…I’ve got to show, not only to other people but to myself, that I can go back in here and get some wins…

Steve Erceg in an Exclusive Pre-fight Interview to Bloody Elbow

While the 125-pound weight class is in the optimal position that it has been in for a considerable time, there is one concern. All the top-ranked guys have been beaten by champ Pantoja, some on more than one occasion. He’s recorded wins over six of the top-10 alone, including No.2-ranked Moreno. No.1-ranked contender Van remains, as does another.

Japanese flyweight Tatsuro Taira (#5), though, is a high-level grappler, and he’s fresh on a rebound from his first defeat. Post-fight, at UFC Vegas 108, Taira even doused himself as better at a skills level than the champion and challenger during the in-house media scrum.

As for Erceg ever facing the champ again after nearly logging a win, he has his hopes up. Pantoja reveres the weight above and this time, Erceg fought at bantamweight at UFC Vegas 109. He has endured a trio of consecutive defeats, with two against current or former flyweight champ Pantoja and Moreno.

Both were competitive fights, and he means to regain the momentum that he once had. Speaking of momentum, the current No.1-ranked challenger Van has his own thoughts about his newfound status and where he came from.

Joshua Van makes rare admission that he was riding into one battle with pent-up ego

Joshua Van fought one down from the champ, who himself snagged another win at the UFC 317 PPV co-main event. Myanmar’s Van has an 8-1 UFC stat and it may have earned him his next Octagon outing against champ Alexandre Pantoja. The champ otherwise has been largely dominant with even big talents being unable to defeat him.

Joshua Van reacts to lone KO loss a year ago
Joshua Van reacts to lone KO loss a year ago (Source: X)

However, his lone slump to Charles Johnson (at UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. Cortez) was a huge setback. Some 13 months later, the lone uppercut KO loss at Denver is something ‘The Fearless’ bills as a much-needed learning curve. He even admitted on announcer Bruce Buffer’s personal podcast that he was full of pride and carrying his chin bit too high, going into that setback.

Nah, that was the best thing that ever happened in my life…I was getting, I was too cocky man…Now, I’m in the gym training, trying to get better every time. So, I think that was the best thing that ever happened to me…

Joshua Van on the ‘It’s Time’ Show with Bruce Buffer (@brucebuffer3142) Episode 636

The flyweight contender is currently on an five-fight win streak and touted as the new big thing in the weight class. After his win at UFC 317, Pantoja even acknowledged the challenge and verbally settled on a title defense.

Van has confronted a considerable number of grapplers, successfully defending 6/8 TDs vs. Cody Durden and 17/21 attempts against Rei Tsuruya. The flyweight have their best grappler in the form of the crown, and Van could be an answer to that.

Additionally, Van boasts an 81% takedown defense rate and presently holds the record for the most significant strikes landed [8.86] per minute — more than Tom Aspinall (also 8-1 in the Octagon). This makes Van a good skills test for Pantoja, and only time will tell if the challenger has taken his learning curve to heart.

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