Overview
- Coach Marcos DaMatta said imaging showed intact ligaments and no fractures, with only tendon involvement reported by the team.
- Pantoja posted new footage sparring and lifting less than a month after the fight-ending elbow trauma, suggesting faster-than-planned progress.
- Ariel Helwani relayed that Pantoja’s camp expects a possible return in mid to third quarter of 2026, aligning with earlier targets around the summer.
- The former champion’s loss to Joshua Van at UFC 323 ended 26 seconds in after an awkward fall from a caught head kick caused a dislocated elbow.
- Van has expressed willingness to grant a rematch, though reports indicate his first defense may go to a top contender such as Manel Kape or Tatsuro Taira while the UFC weighs the division’s next steps.