Joshua Van completed a meteoric rise to the top at UFC 323, but his big win will be scrutinized for some time.Heading into UFC 323, Van was one of the hottest fighters in the flyweight division, having gone 8-1 in the UFC at just 24 years old after turning pro in 2021. He faced dominant champion Alexandre Pantoja in Saturday’s co-main event and pulled off a massive upset, but the bout lasted just 26 seconds due to Pantoja suffering a brutal arm injury.Pantoja threw a head kick that Van caught, followed by Van tripping him to the canvas. The champion attempted to post on his arm and the limb immediately gave out, a gruesome scene that was replayed countless times on the broadcast.The injury marred a wonderful moment for Van, who has risen from prospect to UFC titleholder in the blink of an eye, and not everyone was happy for him.Bantamweight contender Vinicius Oliveira took a vicious dig at Van, writing on Twitter that Van “doesn’t deserve to celebrate this belt, he did nothing, he is not worthy of having his belt.”Dominick Cruz offered a confusing take, suggesting Pantoja should have been given the choice to continue, despite clearly injuring his arm.See more pros reactions below.@JoshuaVanBT doesn’t deserve to celebrate this belt, he did nothing, he is not worthy of having this belt.— Vinicius “LokDog” Oliveira (@LokdogVinicius) December 7, 2025When I talk about their being banana peels in the octagon, that low probability elbow dislocation is a prime example of it.— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) December 7, 2025I wish that Van vs Pantoja fight was aloud to keep going. It should be up to us as the fighter if we want to continue after that. We put the time in the training camp in that situation. People dislocate their arms and put it back in place and keep fighting all the time.#UFC323— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) December 7, 2025Man stop the replay! #UFC323— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) December 7, 2025That’s freaking sucks… still props to van— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) December 7, 2025Eleventeen replays on that dislocated arm was a bit much I think. #ufc323— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 7, 2025His poor kids are freaking out. Just terrible. #UFC323— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) December 7, 2025💔 @Pantojamma 😢😢— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) December 7, 2025Van been averaging 5 fights a year let’s see if he can beat Merab’s record as a champ— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 7, 2025Van is the man! H town stand up Texas lFG— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) December 7, 2025Unfortunate ending, but damn! Houston has its UFC CHAMP!!! Praying for a speedy recovery for Pantoja 🙏🏽— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) December 7, 2025Was calling it before he fought Royval. https://t.co/WAhrDB1elM— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) December 7, 2025I said on @FullyHydratedFH that I didn’t see a way that Pantoja loses, and I was correct I absolutely did not ever consider him falling over and blowing his elbow out. #UFC323— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) December 7, 2025What’s next ? Joshua Van (24 yo) vs Tatsuro Taira (25 yo). ?! #UFC323— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) December 7, 2025WOAH #UFC323— Torrez Finney (@punishertorrez) December 7, 2025