“The Cannibal” will be back.In a stunning turn of events, Alexandre Pantoja lost his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight title to Joshua Van in the UFC 323 co-main event last night (Sat., Dec. 6, 2025) after suffering a gruesome arm injury just 26 seconds into the fight inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights).With such a gnarly-looking injury, fans assumed the former champion would be sidelined for months. But according to Pantoja himself, that might not be the case. He released a video on social media reacting to the loss and reassuring fans he’ll return soon.“Hey guys, that’s what happened — accidents,” Pantoja said. “When I went to the UFC today, I think I was in the best shape of my life. When I saw Joshua Van on the other side of the Octagon, I believed I could finish him in the first round. That’s what I tried to do. Best camp of my life, best weight cut, best everything. I felt so great. That’s my Octagon. That’s my belt.“I talked to my wife today — it’s not about me, but about Joshua Van. It was his destiny to win the belt tonight, and he won the belt because of my injury. I talked to God and God gave me the message. I believed it, I prayed a lot. I worked hard all of my life, and I’m going to work again, and I’m going to take my belt again… I fly back home tomorrow, and on Monday I start the work again. Thank you so much.”His caption added: “I’ll be back sooner than you think!!!!”View this post on InstagramThe UFC has not released an official medical timeline. UFC CEO Dana White clarified that the injury was to Pantoja’s shoulder, not a freak elbow dislocation as many assumed. Whether there is significant ligament damage remains to be seen, and that will ultimately determine his recovery time.Dana White said the medical team popped Pantoja’s shoulder back in backstage. It was not his elbow.#UFC323pic.twitter.com/eTHKQwIga1— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 7, 2025Pantoja’s loss snaps an incredible eight-fight win streak that included victories over Kai Kara-France, Kai Asakura, Steve Erceg, and Brandon Moreno.More information regarding the extent of the injury — and a potential timetable for his return — is expected in the coming days. Stick with MMAmania.com for updates.For more UFC 323 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.