Israel Adesanya has secured a win over Joshua Vann. The Burmese fighter is set to challenge for the UFC flyweight title in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 323 pay-per-view.
At the start of 2025, a title fight between Vann and champion Alexandre Pantoja seemed unlikely, even though Vann had victories over Edgar Chiles and Cody Darden. However, after winning two consecutive pay-per-view bouts, including a significant victory over former title contender Brandon Roybal, Vann quickly rose in the rankings.
Despite his recent success, few anticipate the 24-year-old to dethrone Pantoja, who has maintained a strong grip on the title. Nevertheless, a seasoned champion has identified a tactic that could give Vann an edge in his upcoming fight in Las Vegas.
Israel Adesanya has praised Vann’s unconventional fighting style, noting in a UFC 323 preview video how Vann’s willingness to fight in close quarters and his rare but precise use of kicks could disrupt Pantoja’s dominance. Adesanya highlighted a particularly impactful diagonal kick by Vann that could potentially alter the outcome of the match.
Vann’s rise has positioned him among the sport’s promising young talents, and a win over Pantoja would make him the second-youngest UFC champion ever, following Jon Jones and just ahead of Jose Aldo, both of whom achieved this feat at age 24.
Still, toppling Pantoja will be no easy task, as the current champion is compared to flyweight legend Demetrius Johnson for his impressive reign.
Fan Take: This matchup is a pivotal moment for the flyweight division, bringing fresh excitement and potential shifts in the competitive landscape. For fight fans, seeing a rising star like Vann challenge a dominant champion like Pantoja could signal a new era and elevate the sport’s intensity even further.
