Joshua Van proud to have 'proof that I am a world champion' after title defense

Joshua Van scored a fifth-round technical knockout over Tatsuro Taira in his first flyweight title defense at UFC 328, a result delivered in Newark, New Jersey. The UFC 328 co-main event featured Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira, a flyweight title fight shaped by early grappling exchanges before Van's striking took over. The champion absorbed pressure on the ground and then secured the technical knockout late, closing the bout at 1:32 of Round 5. The win followed scrutiny of Van's injury-shortened victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323, when Pantoja sustained an arm injury 26 seconds into Round 1. Pantoja attended the Prudential Center card while continuing his recovery, and indications point to a rematch between Van and the Brazilian.