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Alexandre Pantoja Praises Joshua Van’s Rapid Rise Before UFC 323

“I watched Josh before the Royval fight — two beautiful victories — and thought, ‘this guy is very good,’” Pantoja (30-5) said before defending his flyweight belt for the fifth time at UFC 323. The 24-year-old grabbed his title shot when Manel Kape withdrew, and Van then beat Royval to earn the ticket. The champ added that he didn’t expect Van to rise “so fast.”