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‘I’m his dad’: Joshua Van continues to mock Alexandre Pantoja ahead of UFC 331 rematch

Published

3 weeks ago

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‘I’m his dad’: Joshua Van continues to mock Alexandre Pantoja ahead of UFC 331 rematch

Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja were respectful and cordial during every interaction leading up to their first encounter but the same can't be said for the rematch at UFC 331.

A pre-fight press conference announcing the rematch saw Van and Pantoja at each other's throats, just waiting for the chance to settle some unfinished business. The bad blood turned so volatile at that press conference that Pantoja went as far as saying Dana White actually stopped the former flyweight champion from slapping Van during the event.

“As far as I checked, I'm his dad,†Van said during UFC 331 media day on Wednesday. “I don't know what he was talking about. The shit that he's been saying, he should get smacked for that.

“He was being respectful after the fight and [now] he's doing interviews and things like that, making me the bad guy. I told him we were going to fight again so I don't know what his deal was. It was just annoying.â€

The animosity between the flyweights stems from the first fight between them ending under odd circumstances. Pantoja suffered a freak injury just seconds into the contest and when he couldn't continue, Van was crowned the new UFC flyweight champion.

As Pantoja recovered, Van embraced his new role as champion and went on to battle Tatsuro Taira in one of the best fights of the year as he retained his 125-pound title in victory.

Van believes Pantoja is just angry he lost his spot at the top of the division so now the Brazilian is trying to tear him down every chance he gets.

“He's trying to be this guy, where [he's] the good guy,†Van said. “Trying to put me [in the bad guy role]. I don't mind. It's the way he said it. Even in the Countdown videos, he's trying to fix my arm and he was saying the video they showed was him saying ‘no more.'

“It's funny to me. We're going to fight on Saturday and find out who is the better man.â€

In reality, Van doesn't seem to care much what Pantoja has to say or what else he might say over the next couple of days leading to UFC 331.

If anything, Van feels Pantoja is a little delusional with his takes on the fight, but also knows by now that the former campion just doesn't like him very much and that comes across in every single thing he says.

“That's because the things that he's been saying. He doesn't even believe it,†Van said. “When I point that out, it just pisses him off I guess.

“I'm just going to be myself. As far as I know he can't stand me so I'm just going to be myself.â€

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MMA

Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’

Published

6 hours ago

on

October 7, 2026

By

Court McGee at peace with UFC farewell: ‘OK is good enough for me’
Court
McGee is proud of his final
Ultimate Fighting Championship appearance.

McGee's final bout came against Eric Nolan
at UFC
332 on Oct. 3 in front of his home fans in Salt Lake City. He
suffered a third-round technical knockout loss after a hard-fought
battle and subsequently laid down his gloves inside the Octagon to
mark the end of his UFC career.

Court McGee reflects on his final UFC fight after 16 years in
the promotion

McGee released a statement addressing his retirement. He is proud
of his final UFC fight despite the loss. After 16 years in the UFC,
McGee said he finally took it all in leading up to his farewell
bout. “The Crusher†also paid tribute to 13 coaches and training
partners he lost along the way.

“Saturday night was my last fight in the UFC,†McGee posted on X.
“16 years. 29 fights, including my time in the Ultimate Fighter
house. One hell of a journey. I didn't get my hand raised, but I'm
incredibly proud of my performance, proud of my opponent, and
genuinely happy for him. For the first time, I was able to slow
down and truly experience it all—the weeks leading up to the fight,
fight week, the walk to the Octagon, and everyone who's been beside
me through the highs and lows. Including the 13 coaches and
training partners we've lost. RIP. I gave this sport everything I
had. Sometimes my best was great. Sometimes it was just okay.
Saturday night, I was okay—and okay is good enough for me. I'm
grateful for the wins, the losses, the lessons, the people, and
every damn moment in between. What a journey. Thank you.â€

McGee (22-15) won Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter†in 2010,
earning a UFC contract. He overcame addiction before beginning his
professional mixed martial arts career.

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MMA

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight

Published

1 day ago

on

October 6, 2026

By

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight
Dustin
Poirier will do whatever it takes to help his teammates.

Poirier recently recalled an incident in which he helped a teammate
make weight illegally. Poirier's friend was over the weight limit
for a fight in Mississippi, and the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim titleholder resorted to
manipulating the scale to help him.

Dustin Poirier details how he lifted an overweight teammate
during a Mississippi weigh-in

Fighters shed every bit of clothing and stand behind a towel when
they're close to the weight limit. Poirier stood behind the towel
with his teammate while everyone else was on the other side. “The
Diamond†claims he slightly lifted his friend so that he made
weight.

“One time one of my buddies was fighting in Mississippi,†Poirier
said on the “Deep Waters†podcast. “And they had the towel out, he
was naked, he was over [the weight limit]. I was behind the towel
with him. Everybody was in front. I grabbed a handful of hairy man
*ss cheeks and I lifted him up a little bit, got him on
weight.â€

Poirier (30-10) hung up his gloves after losing to Max
Holloway last year. He has since admitted that he misses
fighting and hasn't entirely ruled out a return.

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MMA

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight

Published

1 day ago

on

October 6, 2026

By

Dustin Poirier admits he helped teammate cheat scale to make weight
Dustin
Poirier will do whatever it takes to help his teammates.

Poirier recently recalled an incident in which he helped a teammate
make weight illegally. Poirier's friend was over the weight limit
for a fight in Mississippi, and the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim titleholder resorted to
manipulating the scale to help him.

Dustin Poirier details how he lifted an overweight teammate
during a Mississippi weigh-in

Fighters shed every bit of clothing and stand behind a towel when
they're close to the weight limit. Poirier stood behind the towel
with his teammate while everyone else was on the other side. “The
Diamond†claims he slightly lifted his friend so that he made
weight.

“One time one of my buddies was fighting in Mississippi,†Poirier
said on the “Deep Waters†podcast. “And they had the towel out, he
was naked, he was over [the weight limit]. I was behind the towel
with him. Everybody was in front. I grabbed a handful of hairy man
*ss cheeks and I lifted him up a little bit, got him on
weight.â€

Poirier (30-10) hung up his gloves after losing to Max
Holloway last year. He has since admitted that he misses
fighting and hasn't entirely ruled out a return.

Continue Reading
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