Joshua Van beats Brandon Royval in instant classic at UFC 317, sets up title fight with Alexandre Pantoja

LAS VEGAS -- A little over three weeks ago, only the most in-tune MMA fans could have told you who Joshua Van was. 

After his win over Brandon Royval in what many are calling one of the greatest fights in history at UFC 317 on Saturday, the 23-year-old flyweight is on a trajectory rarely seen in the sport. The win marked Van's second in three weeks, after the Burmese-American fighter beat Bruno Gustavo De Silva at UFC 308 on June 8. 

Van and Royval engaged in 15 minutes of exhilarating stand-and-bang combat, with neither fighter attempting a single takedown. Of the combined 779 strikes thrown, 774 were counted as significant strike attempts. Van was the more efficient striker, 205-of-304 of his significant strikes thrown and 209-of-311 total, while Royval fired off 468 total strikes and landed 216-of-458 of his significant strikes.

"He's known for having cardio, but I'm also a pressure fighter who doesn't get tired," Van said. "I think it was new for him, because a lot of guys when they fight him, they kind of fade in the later rounds. I wasn't going to do that , so I think that kind of caught him by surprise

"I know God put me here for a reason and I knew I was gonna win tonight. I thought I was gonna get the finish. but Royval is a tough motherf---er. Shout out to that guy, man. I really, really appreciate him for giving me a chance to fight with him."

Because Dana White designated the fight between the top contender Royval and the 12th-ranked Van as a flyweight title eliminator, Van will face Alexandre Pantoja in Pantoja's next title defense after "The Cannibal" beat Kai Kara-France by submission in the third round. Van remained near the Octagon for the fight between Pantoja and Kara-France and entered for a faceoff with Pantoja after the conclusion of the fight.  

"Obviously, it's the fight to make right now," White said. "The reaction that it got from the fans tonight, we'll just have to see how that plays out."

Unlike the exchange between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, Pantoja showed a considerable amount of respect for his future opponent both in the Octagon and at the post-fight press conference. 

"That's the American dream, brother," Pantoja said. "That's amazing. This kid has this opportunity, why not? He can change his life. I think that's a big challenge in my career. To fight someone new, 23 years old, hungry. Very good striking, very good takedown defense. It's a challenge for me."