Watch out, Pantoja! Joshua Van knocks out Tatsuro Taira and opens the door for a rematch at UFC 328.

Van focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Joshua Van He proved that his champion status is no accident. The prospect from Myanmar, who won the flyweight title (up to 56,7 kg) after... lesion de Alexandre pantoja, defended the title against Tatsuro Taira No. UFC 328Despite struggling in the grappling match, the champion managed a heroic knockout against the Japanese fighter.

With the triumph, Joshua Van He reached 17 wins and earned his first UFC title defense. Tatsuro Taira, on the other hand, suffered only the second defeat of his career.

In an interview with Joe Rogan, still in the octagon, Joshua Van opened the doors for a reckoning against Alexandre pantoja, who watched the duel from the front row.

Joshua Van struggles with takedowns, responds with a knockout, and defends his title at UFC 328.

Tatsuro Taira He started the fight with a strong low kick, followed by his first takedown attempt. In less than a minute, the Japanese fighter was already in mount, controlling the champion. After some effort against the cage, Van managed to get back to his feet and began to hunt down the challenger, looking for his combinations. However, Taira took him down again and regained a dominant position.

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In the second round, Joshua Van managed to deny the initial attempts to take down Tatsuro TairaThe representative from Myanmar found his range and landed some good punches on the Japanese fighter, but ended up being taken down again shortly after.

After enduring a tough grappling exchange, Van got back to his feet and, when the round seemed lost, landed a powerful right hand that knocked the Japanese fighter down.

The third stage began with Joshua Van Defending against Taira's takedowns, who was still trying to recover. More relaxed, the champion circled his opponent and worked his boxing.

With a powerful jab, Van once again staggered Taira, who went down. The champion then continued to pressure him, connecting with more strikes and even locking in a rear-naked choke, nearly securing the submission.

The young fighters returned for the fourth round determined to finish the fight. In the opening seconds, Taira landed a low kick that caused Van to lose his balance. The Japanese fighter then secured another takedown and regained mount.

In an attack while Van was trying to get up, Taira locked in a triangle choke, which almost resulted in a submission.

In the fifth and final round, Van came back aggressively, defending takedowns and imposing his boxing. With Taira already worn down and injured, the champion accelerated the pace and, with a precise combination, achieved the technical knockout, securing the title defense. UFC 328.

UFC 328 results

MAIN CARD

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Sean Strickland derrotou Khamzat Shimaev by split decision of the judges (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) and won the belt.

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van derrotou Tatsuro Taira by technical knockout (punches) at 1:32 of round 5 and defended the belt.

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Alexander Volkov derrotou Waldo Cortes Acosta by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Sean brady derrotou Joaquin buckley by unanimous decision of the judges (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): King Green derrotou Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear naked choke) at 4min20s of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ateba Gautier defeated Ozzy Diaz by knockout (punches) at 1:10 of R2

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Yaroslav Amosov defeated Joel alvarez by submission (Katagatame) at 1:13 of Round 2

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Grant dawson derrotou Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear naked choke) at 4min48s of R3

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Jim Miller derrotou Jared gordon via submission (guillotine) at 3min29s of R1

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Roman Kopylov derrotou Marcus Tullius Learn by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): pat sabatini derrotou William Gomis by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Baisangur Susurkaev defeated Djorden Santos via submission (rear naked choke) at 4min12s of R3

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Jose Ochoa derrotou Clayton Carpenter by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)