Joshua Van wants to see UFC give Alexandre Pantoja a rematch in the future

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van wants the promotion to give Alexandre Pantoja a rematch when he’s healthy to return.

This weekend, Joshua Van will try and silence his doubters when he goes head to head with Tatsuro Taira with the UFC flyweight championship on the line. The youngster has had to face questions ever since he won the world title, which came his way courtesy of a nasty injury sustained by Alexandre Pantoja.

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Alas, while his focus is now squarely on getting through Taira, Van understands better than anybody that Pantoja is waiting in the shadows for his chance to get the gold back – especially after he had such an iconic reign with the belt.

In a recent interview, Van had the following to say about Pantoja’s case for a title shot at some point down the road.

Van’s view on Pantoja rematch

“That is over with,” Van told MMA Fighting. “Right now, I’m just focusing on Taira. Like I said, me and Pantoja going to run it back anyways after this fight. I don’t think about that no more.”

“Facts,” Van said about Pantoja deserving the rematch. “He dominated the division. It’s only right they give him the rematch. Yeah, I really hope me and him can run it back.”

Quotes via MMA Fighting

While many will choose to dunk on him for the manner in which he became champion, there’s no denying that Van is willing to walk through fire in order to prove himself at the elite level. Hopefully, he at least gets an opportunity to showcase his talents on Saturday night.

Who do you believe would win a rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja, and why? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!