Joe Rogan suggests to Van that, if Pantoja is out for a while, the new champ will likely defend the belt against Taira in the coming months.

Van welcomes the challenge.

A 24-year-old versus a 25-year-old? That would surely be one of the lowest combined ages in UFC title-fight history.

Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja via first-round TKO (injury, 0:26)

Van doesn’t care how he won the belt, he’s ecstatic!

Pantoja is already out of the arena, going to get treatment.

Oh, my word!! It’s over in barely 30 seconds!

After some wild exchanges, Pantoja drops to the canvas and clutches his arm. He’s injured!

Van stands over him, as does referee Herb Dean, and Pantoja wags his finger... but does he mean he can’t continue or he doesn’t want to stop?

Either way, Dean waves it off!

A replay shows Pantoja might have dislocated or broken his arm while posting on the canvas, after Van caught a head kick and shoved the champ to the mat.

It’s such a shame, such an unexpected end to Pantoja’s reign and this fight – but this is fighting; Van caused the injury, in a way...

He’s the new champ, regardless!!

Van is in the cage first. He’s looked relaxed and confident all week, and he seems no different now.

He’s followed by Pantoja, who emerges to 50 Cent’s “Many Men (Wish Death)” as usual.

We stay in the flyweight division, where Alexandre Pantoja defends his title against Joshua Van.

Pantoja, since dethroning Moreno in 2023, has been dominant with four successful title defences.

Most recently, the 35-year-old Brazilian submitted Kai Kara-France in June.

On the same night, Van outpointed former title challenger Brandon Royval.

With that, the Myanmar native extended his win streak to five in just nine months.

If the 24-year-old can build on that run tonight, he will become the youngest-active UFC champ.

Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via second-round TKO (ground and pound, 2:24)

Moreno turns 32 tomorrow. He’s still young, but he’s been in this sport a long time.

In any case, there’s a new contender in Taira! He enthusiastically calls for a title shot, and he might just get it.

Moreno with a jab, then each man lands a right hand at the same time.

Moreno with a right overhand then a left hook to the body! Some unorthodox throwing here, but it tends to work for the Mexican.

Taira shoots for a takedown, but Moreno sprawls well. Taira with hard knees to the body now, though, and then he finishes a takedown!

He’s seeking a rear naked choke... Now Moreno is flattened out and eating punches! Moreno isn’t defending!

Oh, and the ref stops it! It’s all over! Moreno is stopped for the FIRST time.

He complains, and I get it; he wasn’t hurt, but he wasn’t really defending either.

Both men stand orthodox. Taira loads up with his punches early on. Now he shoots for a takedown, a double-leg, but Moreno reacts well and ends up on top!

Taira tries to tip him off, and Moreno tries a triangle choke from a unique angle... I don’t think it’s quite there...

There are some boos from the crowd, but Moreno is trying to finish the submission!

The majority of the round plays out in that position, with Moreno essentially upside down against the fence, and with Taira trying to stay calm inside the submission.

Taira does get out in the final 15 seconds, and he manages to land some knees as the flyweights stand.

Lots of Mexican support for Moreno, 31, in Vegas.

As such, Japan’s Taira, 25, is booed on his way to the cage.