Joshua Van isn’t letting his potential Combat of the 12 months efficiency in opposition to Brandon Royval inflate his ego any greater than he permits different individuals’s opinions have an effect on his preparation for an eventual showdown with UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
It was nearly precisely one month in the past when Van scored a knockout of Bruno Silva at UFC 316 that was presupposed to push him greater within the rankings with the potential to lure a prime 10 opponent right into a struggle with him. Not even 24 hours faraway from that win, Van accepted a possibility to face Royval at UFC 317 three weeks later with the possibility to win and instantly put himself in place to battle for a championship.
Van heard all of the feedback that he would make it an thrilling struggle however in all probability couldn’t dangle with Royval, particularly on such quick discover. He absorbed all of it after which beat Royval in a wild three-round battle, nevertheless it didn’t take lengthy for him to begin listening to the brand new narrative that he’s getting a title shot with little probability to beat a four-time defending champion like Pantoja.
“You know the way the followers are like ‘Joshua Van isn’t prepared’ — I see all of the feedback and shit like that,” Van advised MMA Preventing. “We win the struggle. Now individuals are saying I’m not prepared for the title struggle and this and that.
“What are they going to say once we win that belt? We’re simply making an attempt to remain in our lane and grind. Like we did each f*cking day.”
Van isn’t saying he’s going to only run roughshod over someone like Pantoja, however he’d even be loopy to seek out himself on this place with out the arrogance that he can change into UFC champion.
He is aware of he has the power to beat anyone within the flyweight division and that features Pantoja.
“He’s beating all the fellows however types make fights,” Van mentioned about Pantoja. “Like I mentioned, everyone that Brandon Royval fought, he beat, aside from the champion and I beat him. It’s simply an opinion.
“On the finish of the day, I might be the best factor that ever occurred on this world however individuals will nonetheless discover a option to put me down. I don’t [pay] thoughts to that shit.”
Maybe the largest query Van faces within the weeks and months resulting in his eventual struggle in opposition to Pantoja is his capacity to cope with the Brazilian’s grappling-heavy model.
In 30 profession wins, Pantoja has completed 12 of these by submission together with his victory over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317. With a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and stable wrestling at his disposal, Pantoja has the abilities to take anyone down and put them away with a submission.
As for Van, he maintains 81 p.c takedown protection within the UFC and he’s solely been submitted as soon as in his profession and that got here throughout his third skilled struggle. Van guarantees he’s able to cope with no matter Pantoja throws at him, however he’s not going to run scared from the grappling exchanges simply because that’s the place the champion considers himself one of the best.
“I’m at all times assured. I simply don’t like hugging one other man in a struggle,” Van mentioned. “That’s the explanation why ya’ll don’t see my floor sport. However with regards to a few fights the place I bought harm, I take individuals down. I’ve bought it in my again pocket. When it’s time to make use of it, I exploit it.
“Who do you see within the UFC that may maintain me down? All my earlier fights, they took me down however what occurred? It’s simply an opinion on the finish of the day. I do know they’re going to ask me identical the query over and again and again. Like what do you assume? Are you able to defend his takedowns? Yeah, if I didn’t assume I may defend it, do you assume I’d be keen to struggle him? Issues like that. After all, me and my staff we imagine in ourselves. We imagine in our work and I imagine my coaches will discover a method for me to beat the champ.”
Believing in himself is precisely what led Van to simply accept the short-notice struggle in opposition to Royval after which beat him just some weeks later. He carries that very same angle into the struggle in opposition to Pantoja and as a lot as he respects the UFC flyweight champion, he can’t worry him or that would result in his downfall.
Van believes that’s what he witnessed in Pantoja’s newest title protection.
“Shout out to each him and Kai however I really feel like Kai confirmed an excessive amount of respect,” Van mentioned. “I don’t know if he was harm going into that struggle or one thing however I don’t assume Kai fought the way in which that he fought earlier than. Who is aware of. Not everyone is 100 [percent] on that struggle day. I don’t know what occurred to him however I don’t assume he fought his struggle and he simply made it straightforward for Pantoja.”
Whereas he hasn’t obtained an official name from the UFC giving him a date or location for the title bout, Van is already getting ready for Pantoja in his thoughts whereas permitting his physique to relaxation up and heal following fast back-to-back bookings.
As soon as coaching camp begins, Van plans to prepare for his title shot like he’s achieved each different struggle he’s had within the UFC, so don’t anticipate him to cower to anyone’s finest weapons and that features coping with Pantoja’s floor sport.
“They’ll at all times discover a option to say you’re not prepared,” Van mentioned. “Simply think about how the f*ck am I within the UFC preventing and never understanding no floor? Are you able to even think about that shit? Like I’ve bought to know a little bit bit. I feel I’ll be prepared come struggle day.”
