The flyweight division’s throne hangs in the balance at UFC 323 as reigning champion Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja (30-5) defends his title against surging contender Joshua “The Fearless” Van (15-2) in the co-main event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Pantoja, the 35-year-old Brazilian grappling virtuoso ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound, enters his fifth defense amid whispers of all-time greatness, having submitted four straight challengers since dethroning Brandon Moreno in July 2023. His suffocating pressure (2.80 takedowns per 15 minutes) and submission chains (1.2 attempts per 15 minutes) have defined an era, but age and accumulated damage from wars with Moreno and Kai Kara-France invite scrutiny. Van, the 24-year-old Burmese-American phenom and No. 1 flyweight contender, explodes into title contention on a five-fight UFC tear, including a record-setting volume war against Royval that shattered the three-round significant strikes mark (419 total). His blistering output (8.86 significant strikes landed per minute, highest in UFC history) and 81% takedown defense position him as a nightmare striker, but untested ground time against elite BJJ black belts like Pantoja could unravel his fairy-tale rise. This five-round epic—pitting Pantoja’s veteran craft against Van’s fearless chaos—caps the UFC’s ESPN PPV era, with the victor eyeing legacy-defining rematches in the Paramount+ future.
Venue Location
The showdown erupts at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This 20,000-seat behemoth, opened in 2016 as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ home, has hosted 18 UFC events, including the infamous UFC 229 (McGregor vs. Khabib) brawl and record PPV draws. Adjacent to the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the neon-lit Strip, it’s accessible via Las Vegas Monorail (MGM Grand station) or rideshare zones (Uber/Lyft at Park MGM). Amenities feature a 360-degree video halo, premium suites with fighter access, and concessions like “Submission Sliders” and craft cocktails. As the UFC’s final ESPN PPV before the 2026 Paramount+ shift, expect a sold-out roar of 19,500+; tickets via Ticketmaster start at $250 for main card uppers, with T-Mobile garage parking at $50/event.
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT) for main card (Pantoja-Van co-headlines around 12:00 a.m. ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV (main card, $79.99), ESPN/ESPN+ (prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET), ESPN+ (early prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET). International via UFC Fight Pass; SiriusXM Fight Nation (Ch. 93) for audio.
Injury Report
Both enter cleared after Friday weigh-ins at 125 lbs, with no active issues per UFC medicals. Pantoja’s 2025 slate included a broken toe (vs. Erceg, healed by Asakura) and minor staph (pre-Nurmagomedov, resolved); full recovery confirmed. Van’s whirlwind June featured a post-Royval facial injury (resolved by August), no setbacks since Tsuruya. Standard cut fatigue expected.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Alexandre Pantoja | Cleared | Broken toe (May 2025 vs. Erceg; healed); staph (Jan. 2025 pre-Asakura; resolved) | Full grappling; no restrictions |
| Joshua Van | Cleared | Facial contusion (Jun. 2025 post-Royval; resolved) | Striking volume intact; layoff reset |
Fighter Matchups
Pantoja’s orthodox grappling (67″ reach edge) overwhelms Van’s southpaw blitz (65″ reach), but Van’s volume (56% striking accuracy) tests the champ’s 57% defense. Pantoja’s 47% takedown accuracy meets Van’s 81% defense—expect chain wrestling with striking flurries.
Striking: Volume Surge vs. Pressure Counters
Van’s output (8.86 SLpM, absorbs 6.36/min) clashes with Pantoja’s setups (4.36 SLpM, 50% accuracy). Van outlanded Royval 210-209; Pantoja edged Kara-France 70-57 pre-sub. Edge: Van early; Pantoja in clinch (his knees drained Erceg).
Grappling: Back-Take Chains vs. Takedown Resistance
Pantoja’s 1.2 subs/15 min (12 career) vs. Van’s sprawls (0.6 TD/15 min). Pantoja submitted Asakura (Rd. 2 RNC); Van stuffed 81% vs. Silva. Edge: Pantoja—his BJJ exploits Van’s 0 UFC subs absorbed.
Cardio & Durability: Veteran Tank vs. Youthful Pace
Pantoja’s decisions (40% wins, avg. 18:22 time) vs. Van’s late surges (60% Rd. 3 finishes). Pantoja absorbed 111 vs. Erceg; Van took 209 vs. Royval. Edge: Pantoja—his chin (0 KO losses) weathers Van’s unproven five-round gas.
Recent Form
Pantoja is 5-0 in 2025 (four defenses): Sub (RNC) vs. Kara-France (Jun., Rd. 3, 1:55), Sub (RNC) vs. Asakura (Dec. 2024, Rd. 2, 2:05), UD vs. Erceg (May 2024, 49-46 x3), extending 8-fight streak. Van is 5-0 in 2025: UD vs. Royval (Jun., 29-28 x3, FOTN, 419 strikes record), TKO punches vs. Silva (Jun., Rd. 3, 4:01), UD vs. Tsuruya (Mar., 30-27).
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Pantoja | 5-0-0 | W-Sub vs. Kara-France (Jun. 2025, Rd. 3) | N/A | 80% subs; 125 strikes landed avg. |
| Van | 5-0-0 | W-UD vs. Royval (Jun. 2025, 3 rds) | N/A | 60% decisions; 210 strikes landed avg. |
Fight History
First meeting—no priors. Pantoja’s UFC: 14-3, subs over Moreno (x2), Schnell; wins over Kara-France, Asakura. Van’s UFC: 8-1, TKOs over Silva, Bunes; UD over Royval. Common foe: Royval (Pantoja 2-0, UD/sub; Van 1-0 UD).
| Date | Pantoja Result | Van Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Pantoja 14-3 UFC; Van 8-1 UFC |
Betting Trends
Pantoja is 8-0 SU streak, 6-2 ATS; public backs him (70% tickets), 5-3 Over in defenses. He’s 4-0 SU as -200+ fave. Van is 8-1 SU UFC, 5-4 ATS; sharps on +195 (50% handle), 4-1 Over in wins. Analogs: Pantoja 5-0 vs. +150 dogs; Van 3-1 as underdog. Public 65% Pantoja ML; trends favor Over 4.5 (Pantoja 70% decisions).
Trends: Pantoja 7/8 Over 4.5; Van 5/6 Over 2.5. Pantoja 5-0 SU 2025; Van 5-0 SU 2025.
FIGHT ODDS
Alexandre Pantoja + 200
Joshua Van – 240
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
