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Joshua Van entered UFC 331 with a point to prove that his first victory over Alexandre Pantoja, which resulted in an injury TKO, was not a fluke. Van dismissed critics, including Pantoja himself, but when Joe Rogan echoed that sentiment at the ceremonial weigh-ins, Van admitted after their rematch that it hit him differently.
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On “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Van said that the comment from the longtime UFC commentator and podcast host bothered him. Van also revealed he fought through a serious shoulder injury, but still found a way to silence the doubters.
Rogan’s Words Cut Deeper Than Expected
The initial comment from Joe Rogan came when he interviewed Joshua Van at the UFC 331 ceremonial weigh-ins (h/t Championship Rounds):
Joe Rogan told Joshua Van that he won his title “by accident”
🗣️ Van: “It ain’t no accident man. It happened the way it did, and it was meant to be.” #UFC331https://t.co/jaIv3v3oh0pic.twitter.com/v1iGlK5yPd
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 19, 2026
Rogan asked Van about cementing his legacy by beating “the man that you won the title from by accident.”
Van responded immediately, saying, “It ain’t no accident, man. It happened the way it did, and it was meant to be.”
The comment referenced Van’s first victory over Pantoja in December 2025, when he won the flyweight title via injury TKO just 26 seconds into the fight. Pantoja suffered a serious shoulder injury after Van caught his head kick and forced him to fall awkwardly.
During his appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show” on Tuesday, Van confirmed the remark stuck with him.
When Helwani asked if the comment from Rogan bothered him, Van responded, “A little bit, I ain’t even gonna lie, man, a little bit.”
“It was kind of f— up that he said that. But, you know, much love to Joe Rogan. You know what it is,” he continued.
Van clarified that his frustration stemmed from his respect for Rogan. The champion grew up watching the UFC commentator and considers him a legend. That admiration made the “accident” framing particularly painful.
“I don’t really give a f— what other people say, but Joe Rogan is someone that I look up to,” Van explained. “For him to say that, it was kind of like, ‘damn,’ you know?”
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Van also stated that Rogan does not owe him an apology.
“He doesn’t have to [apologize],” Van said. “I just let him know how I feel.”
The champion’s willingness to address the situation openly showed maturity beyond his 24 years.
A Statement Win Silenced All Doubt
Whatever lingering questions existed after the first Pantoja fight, Van erased them at UFC 331. The champion used superior striking to batter Pantoja across five rounds, winning a unanimous decision. The performance removed any asterisk from his title reign.
“Pantoja is the greatest of all time. He’s got nothing but respect from me. For me to fight him twice— it’s a blessing for me,” Van stated.
Van also revealed that he accomplished his goal of beating Pantoja again while battling a significant injury. He told Helwani that he suffered a torn AC joint in his right shoulder during training camp.
“I couldn’t even train boxing. I couldn’t train wrestling. I couldn’t do nothing,” Van said. “All I did was run.”
The champion refused to withdraw from the fight despite the injury. Pantoja had already accused him of being scared to fight, and Van did not want to validate that narrative. After the victory, Van expressed respect for Pantoja and a desire to move forward.
What’s Next for the Champion?
Van now stands as one of the UFC’s most compelling young champions. He has already defended his title twice, including a fifth-round knockout of Tatsuro Taira in May 2026.
I have written about the next challenges he may face, but a third defense will likely come against top contender Manel Kape, who sits at no. 1 in the latest UFC flyweight rankings.
The shoulder injury will require further evaluation. Van said he still needs additional testing to determine his recovery timeline and whether surgery will be necessary. He does not believe surgery will be required.
Regardless of what lies ahead, Van has proven he belongs among the elite. He turned Rogan’s dismissive remark into fuel and delivered a performance that left no room for debate. The “accident” narrative is now officially dead.
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This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 10:07 PM.