Following Joshua Van’s recent victory at UFC 317, fight fans are debating the quality of Charles Johnson as a fighter.
The UFC flyweight division has crowned a new top contender: Joshua Van. The 23-year-old athlete, who represents Houston and Myanmar, catapulted himself into the title picture overnight with a performance against Brandon Royval at UFC 317 that is being hailed as a potential `fight of the year`.
Van managed to knock down the previously #1 ranked Royval late in their intense bout and ultimately secured a hard-fought unanimous decision win.
UFC CEO Dana White had confirmed on Thursday that the winner of the Van vs. Royval contest would earn a shot at reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja`s title. After his impressive win, Van had the opportunity to face off with Pantoja, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling flyweight championship clash.
Van holds an impressive 8-1 professional record within the UFC. His only defeat came at the hands of Charles Johnson, who had strong opinions to share after Van`s significant win.
Charles Johnson States `I`m Better` Following Van’s Title Eliminator Victory
Less than a year ago, in July 2024, Johnson was the first fighter to stop `The Fearless` Van, finishing him by knockout.
Their fight was a competitive three-round affair between Johnson and Van, who are currently two of the most active competitors in the UFC`s flyweight division. Ultimately, Johnson`s experience proved decisive as the veteran fighter overwhelmed Van with punches in the third round, leading to the TKO stoppage.
Once ranked within the top 15, Johnson currently boasts a 4-1 record in his last five outings, including a perfect 4-0 run in 2024. Meanwhile, the newly minted #1 contender Van remains undefeated since his loss to Johnson at UFC Denver last year, accumulating a 5-0 record in that period.
“There has never been a better time to ask HOW GOOD IS INNER G? What an amazing aged win,” commented one fan regarding Johnson`s earlier TKO victory over Van.
Johnson offered congratulations to both Royval and Van for their `great fight` at UFC 317 but suggested he still sees vulnerabilities in Van`s fighting style.
“I don’t,” Johnson stated on X when questioned about whether he thought Van had improved since their encounter.
“I see same openings and can’t wait to show again the same way as the last! I have better cardio and boxing defense than Brandon. Great fight tho.”
“I’m better. Matchups make fights,” Johnson remarked to a fan who expressed confusion about how he had previously defeated Van.
“He gets hit a lot and I hit hard,” Johnson explained concerning Van`s tendency to absorb strikes.
“I’m #1,” Johnson posted on X.
“To compare Royval to me, striking is different. I’m so much better now defensively and switch stance. It just gives me motivation to win the next tough one and ask for something great,” Johnson added.
Joshua Van Could Become the UFC’s Second-Youngest Champion
Van came close to breaking Jon Jones` record as the youngest champion in UFC history.
Van accepted the title eliminator bout against Royval on short notice, only weeks after securing a TKO win over Bruno Silva at UFC 316.
Had Van managed to capture the flyweight title earlier this month, at 23 years old, he would have become the youngest champion in UFC history.
Van is poised to become the first fighter born in the 2000s to challenge for a UFC title when he steps into the octagon against Alexandre Pantoja. The recently elevated top contender has a chance to secure his place as the second-youngest champion in UFC history, provided he wins the title by the end of 2025.
Jose Aldo currently holds the record for the second-youngest champion in UFC history, having claimed gold at 24 years and two months of age. Van will celebrate his 24th birthday in October.
