MMA
Joshua Van details injury that nearly derailed UFC 331 title defense: "I can't move my shoulder no more"
Published
1 month agoon
Zuffa LLCJoshua Van had quite a hill to climb prior to his UFC 331 win over Alexandre Pantoja.
While Van pulled off a championship-worthy performance, most notably in the final round, the circumstances surrounding his camp were anything but ideal. Van suffered an injury early on in preparation, which greatly limited his sparring sessions. Speaking to UFC Hall of Famer Dominick Cruz on the “Love & War†podcast, Van reflected on the injury.
🤯 Joshua Van reveals he injured his shoulder 5 weeks out from his fight with Alexandre Pantoja
“I landed on my shoulder, we just thought it was a little pain, then the next day out of nowhere I can't move my shoulder no more.â€
(Via @DominickCruz) â–«ï¸ pic.twitter.com/RUpqzDvzEY
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 22, 2026
“I landed on my shoulder, and we just thought it was just like a little pain, and then the next day out of nowhere I can't move my shoulder no more,†Van said.
When Cruz mentioned that it must've been a “nerve-racking†experience, Van said he was more frustrated than anything else.
“Bro, it was irritating,†Van admitted. “You want to do all this stuff, but you can't really do it because you can't even lift your arm.â€
Van praised UFC's medical staff for ensuring that he would be ready prior to fight night, but he had to cut his recovery time by a week with how close he was to fight night.
“We found out it was a tear, and they gave me a stem cell shot, but you know they say two weeks off, but then it was already five weeks out,†Van recalled. “So, I'm like, ‘How am I supposed to take these two weeks off, right?' So, I was doing nothing but running.â€
The 125-pound king also noted that when he could finally spar two weeks before UFC 331, he hesitant to throw his right hand because he was still experiencing some pain. Van outlasted the rough camp to solidify his place at the top of the flyweight division. He defeated Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Night†effort.
Many suspect that Manel Kape will be the next flyweight title challenger. For now, Van will look to rest up after a roller coaster camp and a gritty five-round affair.
Does Joshua Van's injury make his UFC 331 win even more impressive? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Published
43 minutes agoon
November 3, 2026
Tsarukyan is open to fighting Alexander
Volkanovski, provided
Ultimate Fighting Championship gold is at stake.
Volkanovski (29-4) defended the featherweight title with a
technical knockout victory over Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi before expressing interest in returning to
lightweight. With champion Justin
Gaethje uncertain about his future, Volkanovski offered to face
Tsarukyan (24-3) for the vacant title if Gaethje retires.
Arman Tsarukyan reminds Alexander Volkanovski how Islam
Makhachev rematch ended
Tsarukyan said the championship matters more to him than the
opponent.
“I'm ready for everyone,†Tsarukyan told Yavuz Saynomo. “For me, it
doesn't matter who I'm gonna fight; I just want to fight for the
title.â€
Volkanovski has expressed confidence that he can counter
Tsarukyan's wrestling and avoid being held down. Tsarukyan
responded by recalling the Australian's knockout loss to Islam
Makhachev.
“He said Islam Makhachev cannot knock him out, too,†Tsarukyan
added.
Volkanovski has twice challenged Makhachev for the lightweight
championship. He lost their first meeting by unanimous decision
before Makhachev finished their rematch with a head kick and
follow-up punches.
Tsarukyan remains confident that his next bout will be for the
title. If Gaethje retires, “The Batman†expects to compete for the
vacant belt.
“I have a title fight next,†Tsarukyan reiterated. “Either Justin
Gaethje. If he is retired, someone else.â€
MMA
Report: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Michelle Montague postponed to UFC 335 on Dec. 12
Published
19 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
MMA
On To the Next One: Matches to make after controversial UFC Vegas 123 event
Published
20 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
UFC Vegas 123 went down this past Saturday at the Meta APEX. The Halloween-themed event ended in controversy following referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to stand up Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan with Moicano in a dominant position, thus leading to Nolan getting the finish the third round. Where does Nolan go from this victory where the headlines are solely about the referee?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Nolan after getting his biggest win, yet not getting the rub despite not doing anything wrong. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jacobe Smith following his impressive win over Randy Brown in the co-main event, Cody Durden after defeating Ode Osbourne in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Luana Santos and Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, and more.
Plus, your matchmaking suggestions during the second half of the program.
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
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Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Naoya Inoue Receives Title Shot Opportunity in New Division After Champions Fifth Consecutive Stoppage
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