Joshua Van is fully aware that his UFC 323 title victory came under unusual circumstances, and he is equally aware that a portion of the MMA world is reluctant to recognize it as legitimate. The newly crowned flyweight champion, however, has made it clear that he has no intention of defending his achievement against criticism outside the cage. His focus remains squarely on what matters to him most: the result recorded in the books and the belt now around his waist.

Van captured the UFC flyweight championship during the co-main event at UFC 323, a fight that ended abruptly less than a minute into the opening round. An early exchange led to an injury suffered by reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja, forcing the referee to intervene and stop the bout. The sudden ending shocked spectators and immediately sparked debate about whether Van’s win should be viewed as a true passing of the torch or simply the outcome of unfortunate circumstance.

Rather than offer justifications or apologies, Van took a straightforward stance. From his perspective, injuries are an inherent risk of mixed martial arts, and the responsibility of a competitor is to be prepared and seize the moment when opportunity arises. He did exactly that. Once the fight was waved off, the outcome was final — and Van became champion.

What often gets lost in the reaction, Van believes, is the body of work that earned him that opportunity in the first place. His rise through the flyweight ranks was not accidental or rushed. Over multiple bouts, he showcased sharp striking, composure under pressure, and a willingness to take on difficult matchups. Those performances put him into position to challenge Pantoja, regardless of how the final result played out.

Van has also been careful to separate criticism from respect. While he does not entertain arguments that diminish his championship, he has consistently acknowledged Pantoja’s accomplishments and standing in the division. Pantoja entered UFC 323 as a dominant champion with multiple successful title defenses, and Van recognizes that injuries are an unfortunate part of competition rather than a reflection of weakness. He has not ruled out the possibility of a rematch in the future and indicated that he would welcome the chance to settle questions definitively once Pantoja is healthy.

Still, Van does not believe he owes anyone reassurance or validation. He understands that combat sports history is full of champions whose paths to the belt were unconventional. Interim titles, stoppages due to cuts, disqualifications, and freak injuries have all shaped championship lineages in the past. From Van’s perspective, once the referee stops a fight and the commission declares a winner, the debate ends.

The criticism, while loud in some corners, has not shaken his confidence. If anything, it appears to have reinforced his mindset. As a young champion, Van understands that his reign will ultimately be defined by what comes next rather than how it began. Future title defenses will offer opportunities to silence doubt in a way no post-fight statement ever could.

Looking ahead, Van has already expressed interest in being an active champion. He has emphasized readiness over entitlement and suggested that he is eager to face whoever the division puts in front of him. With the flyweight class stacked with contenders, including former title challengers and surging prospects, Van knows that legitimacy is earned repeatedly — not once.

For now, though, the belt belongs to him. UFC 323 marks the moment his career crossed into a new phase, where scrutiny is unavoidable and expectations rise sharply. Whether fans approve or not, Joshua Van is the flyweight champion, and no online debate can change that fact.

As the division moves forward, the focus will naturally shift away from the controversy and toward competition. Van has accepted that reality and appears comfortable carrying both the responsibility and pressure that come with championship status. His message, implicit or explicit, remains consistent: the only opinions that matter are settled inside the cage.