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UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is excited to try and prove himself against Alexandre Pantoja in their UFC 331 rematch.

At UFC 331, Joshua Van will defend his UFC flyweight championship against former champ Alexandre Pantoja. Van first won the belt courtesy of an injury sustained by Pantoja in their first meeting, and ever since then, fans have been wondering what would happen if UFC decided to run it back.

RELATED: Alexandre Pantoja praises Joshua Van, but vows to settle ‘unfinished business’ in near future: “I don’t think he beat me”

Well, that time is almost upon us. We all know that Joshua Van is an exceptionally talented fighter, but getting a definitive win over Alexandre Pantoja is easier said than done.

In a recent interview, Joshua Van had the following to say about the UFC 331 fight.

Joshua Van is prepared for Pantoja rematch

“That’s what we’re here to find out – if that was a fluke or not,” Van said. “He was so respectful after the fight, and I was, too. I walked up to him, I told him sorry. He said sorry, and then he made videos saying it was my destiny to be a champion, and I was like – this guy, I respect him so much for that. And I already respected him so much before that because he’s like one of the greatest of all time in my eyes.

“And he goes on podcasts or interviews and talking crazy. ‘You beat me as a fighter, but as a man, you didn’t beat me.’ I’m like, what the f*ck are you talking about? That sh*t just kind of annoyed me. I’m like, damn, bro. So you’re not a fighter? Like what? I don’t get where he’s coming at. This is why we’re here, man – to really find out.”

“Now I was confident in the first fight,” Van said. “You’re talking about a real fight? That was a real fight. The first fight too, it was a real fight. There’s a lot of things going in the camps and things like that, to make it to the fight, and that itself is a fight. The first fight went the way it went, and now we’re here to find out who’s the better man. I think I’m the better man, and if he thinks he can beat me, come try it.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Who are you backing in the rematch? Let us know in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

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