Pantoja Defends Flyweight Title vs. Van at UFC 323

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will defend his title against surging contender Joshua Van in the co-main event of UFC 323 on December 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pantoja, a 35-year-old Brazilian known as "The Cannibal," enters the bout with a 30-5 professional record and an eight-fight winning streak. He has successfully defended the 125-pound belt four times, most recently submitting Kai Kara-France in the co-main event of UFC 317. Betting odds from Oddsshark list Pantoja as a heavy favorite at -265, with Van at +200. Experts largely back the champion, citing his experience, resilience and well-rounded skills. Flyweight contender Brandon Royval, who has faced both fighters, predicted Pantoja would prevail. "They don't call him The Cannibal for no reason," Royval said. "The guy could take an ass-whooping for sure. I think Pantoja goes and gets it done."

Van, a 24-year-old Myanmar native based in Texas and nicknamed "The Fearless," holds a 15-2 record and is 8-1 in the UFC. His only Octagon loss came against Charles Johnson last year, but he has since won five straight, including victories over Bruno Silva at UFC 316 and former title challenger Brandon Royval at...