Joshua Van opens as betting underdog for potential next UFC title defense

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Joshua Van successfully silenced the doubters with an all-time performance against one of the greats, Alexandre Pantoja, on Saturday night. But the display clearly didn’t earn him enough respect, as Van opens up as the betting underdog for his next potential fight.

The storyline heading into UFC 331 was gripping. A young, relatively unproven contender was catapulted to champion when he ended one of the division’s elite title reigns under Pantoja, in bizarre circumstances. The former champion sought revenge and was determined to win back a throne that he doesn’t believe he lost. After a 25-minute war, Van was able to prove to the world that the first time wasn’t just a lucky win; he truly is championship-worthy. But his toughest tests may still lie ahead.

Unwilling to avoid any big fights, Joshua Van challenged anyone in his weight class to take the belt away from him, and his calls have been answered. Manel Kape has signaled his interest in the fight. Kape is a man with unbelievable striking prowess, riding a four-fight win streak, each coming by knockout. And now, the betting favorite, should he be handed his first UFC title opportunity.

Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape Betting Odds

Joshua Van +170
Manel Kape -200

Joshua Van showcased his top-tier striking in his win over Pantoja last time out, but Kape poses a different type of threat to his title reign. The bout promises to be a striker’s delight for as long as it lasts, and Van is open to the challenge.

“Whoever. Whoever can get it. I’m the fearless, and I never pick and choose who I fight,” Van said following his win at UFC 331. “So Dana, Hunter, whoever you all want in front of me, call me.”

All eyes are now on a potential Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape matchup. But before anything can be scheduled, Van needs to recover from a possible injury.

“I don’t know [when I will return] yet,” Van added. “Coming into this fight after the press conference in Philly, I tore my AC joint in my right shoulder, and I couldn’t even spar. So the last two weeks was my first time sparring… I gotta go back there and get MRIs and get checked up. So hopefully [it’s] nothing major.”

As he stands out as the next challenger for UFC flyweight gold, Manel Kape took to social media to announce his interest.

“The perfect style for me to paint a masterpiece.”