“[Van’s] young, hungry, motivated, and has a reason why he fights. This makes it very, very tough for me.” That’s how Alexandre Pantoja views his next challenger. The Brazilian flyweight champion hasn’t tasted defeat since July 2019 and has been defending his title with authority. Yet, something about the surging Joshua Van has clearly lodged itself in Pantoja’s thoughts. Is it Van’s five-fight unbeaten streak? His youth?

Or perhaps the rapid evolution he’s shown in the Octagon? Whatever the reason, one undeniable factor behind the Myanmar-born contender’s rise is the powerhouse team guiding him. It’s the same team that helped him rebound after his knockout loss to Charles Johnson in July 2024. But that leads to the real question: who exactly is behind the 24-year-old phenom? And wher

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