White On Van After UFC 331 Title Defense

Dana White believes the flyweight division has found its long-term face in champion Joshua Van.

Van successfully defended his title against Alexandre Pantoja in Saturday's UFC 331 headliner, winning a five-round decision after a freak injury ended their first bout early. White handed both fighters Fight of the Night bonuses and told reporters at the post-fight press conference that Van's value to the 125-pound weight class cannot be overstated, according to MMA Junkie.

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White Praises Van's Championship Evolution

"He's the greatest thing ever for that division," White said, per BJ Penn. "He brings a lot of flash and excitement and fun to the division. That was a great fight." White singled out Van's takedown defense and mount escape in the Pantoja rematch, adding that the champion looks better with each appearance. "The kid looks incredible," he said. "He looks better every time he fights and that's what it takes to be a long-reigning champion."

Van revealed after the fight that he tore the AC joint in his right shoulder a month before UFC 331 and was limited to cardio work until the final two weeks of camp. The champion plans to get an MRI to assess the injury's severity. White noted that Van's decision win erased any questions left by the injury stoppage in their first meeting and confirmed the Hawaiian as the definitive flyweight king.

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• BJPenn — Dana White gushes over ‘incredible’ Joshua Van following UFC 331 title defense: “He’s the greatest thing ever for that division”