Joshua Van has admitted that Joe Rogan calling his first win over Alexandre Pantoja an “accident” bothered him.
Van defeated Pantoja for the second time in the main event of UFC 331 on Saturday, putting the controversy surrounding their first meeting firmly behind him. Their December fight ended after just 26 seconds when Pantoja suffered a dislocated elbow, leading some to question the nature of Van’s victory.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, Van acknowledged that Rogan’s characterization of the first fight got under his skin.
“A little bit. I ain't even going to lie, man. A little bit,” Van said. “You know, it was kind of fucked up. He said that about me. You know, much love to Joe Rogan. You know what it is, man. He's a legend.”
Van was then asked whether Rogan was the person he had been referring to during his post-fight interview when he spoke about people calling his first victory an accident.
“Yeah, to be honest, yes,” Van said. “Because I don't really give a fuck what other people say, but Joe Rogan is somebody that I look up to. And for him to say that, you know, it's kind of like, damn, you know?”
The second victory over Pantoja gave Van the opportunity to settle the debate inside the Octagon, but the 24-year-old said he is now ready to leave the entire situation behind.
Asked whether he felt he had finally proved his point and could move on from the “accident” narrative, Van replied:
“Yeah, for sure. And, you know, Pantoja, he's greatest of all time. You know, he got nothing but respect from me.”
Van also reflected on the unusual opportunity to fight Pantoja twice in such a short period.
“So, you know, for me to fight him twice is a blessing itself,” Van said. “So we can put this behind and focus on the future.”
