UFC - UFC #323
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by Bill Christy | in UFC Picks
It will be a Flyweight title fight in the co-main event of UFC 323. Joshua Van (15-2-0) will try to take the belt from champion, Alexandre Pantoja (30-5-0) in what could be the best fight on this card.
Pantoja has already successfully defended his title 4 times since gaining it back in July of 2023. In his last 2 title defenses, he was able to score submission victories (rear-naked chokes) over both Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France. Pantoja does have 1 common opponent with Van, and that is Brandon Royval. Pantoja defeated Royval twice, with the 1st coming via that rear-naked choke and the 2nd coming via unanimous decision.
Van’s latest opponent was the same Brandon Royval. Van picked up a unanimous decision victory on the same card that Pantoja last defended his title. Van has an 81% takedown defense, but that is likely to be tested by the aggressive Pantoja in this title fight. He will need to keep this fight on its feet if he is going to stand any chance against the champion. Van will have the power advantage and will need to time his boxing while avoiding the takedowns to frustrate Pantoja and give himself some openings for a potential knockdown punch
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Alexandre Pantoja - Joshua Van Key Points
- Pantoja is 5-0 in title fights.
- Pantoja is 8-0 in his last 8 fights.
- Van has yet to fight in a 5-round bout.
- Van has fought only 1 fighter in the current top 10 rankings.
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Our Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van Prediction
Van has only been submitted once in his career but it was via a rear naked choke. Pantoja has been on a roll with scoring that type of victory and in a fight that he is likely going to focus on getting to the ground, that could very well be the way this one ends. However, we are going to be safe and just play Pantoja to win in this one. Van has simply not faced anyone near the level of Pantoja and that will be exploited in this matchup.
Our prediction for Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van: Pantoja to win
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