Joshua Vann made a bold promise to UFC fans by signing autograph cards with the claim that he would become champion “by 2026.” He nearly fulfilled that vow when he won the flyweight title after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a freak injury less than 30 seconds into their fight, which forced an abrupt end to the match and Pantoja’s reign as champion.
Despite the controversial finish, Vann’s victory lived up to his earlier prediction. During an interview on Ariel Helwani’s show, a photo was revealed showing Vann signing a card labeled “Champion by 2026,” a promise that remained true regardless of how the match concluded.
At only 24 years old, Joshua Vann is the second-youngest UFC champion ever, just behind Jon Jones. His win at UFC 323, the final pay-per-view of 2025, confirmed his accurate foresight about holding the championship by 2026. Vann expressed pride in fulfilling this prediction, showing off one of the signed cards and sharing that he even commissioned a custom pistol engraved with “World Champion December 6,” set to be unveiled soon.
While Vann respects his injured opponent and would prefer a cleaner victory, he remains excited about the future and his progression as a top fighter.
Fan Take: This story is compelling for fight fans because it highlights the blend of confidence, fate, and unforeseen circumstances that make the sport so unpredictable and thrilling. Vann’s journey sets up an intriguing narrative moving forward, emphasizing resilience and what it truly means to claim the title, no matter how the victory comes.
