Pantoja injured in opening seconds; Van wins title

Key Highlights

• He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time. Follow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLAS VEGAS -- One of the best flyweight title reigns in UFC history came to an end Saturday night in unceremonious fashion. Joshua Van (16-2), 24, became the second-youngest champion in UFC history, as he won the 125-pound championship with a TKO finish over Alexandre Pantoja (30-6) in the co-main event of UFC 323 inside T-Mobile Arena. The finish came just 26 seconds in, when Pantoja was injured as he tumbled to the canvas after Van caught a head-kick attempt.
• It marked Pantoja's first loss in more than five years. At his postfight news conference, UFC CEO Dana White said the injury was to Pantoja's shoulder, which had to be popped back in after the fight.
• White said that Pantoja would undergo an MRI."I didn't know what happened," Van said.
• "He just stopped.
• I was trying to ground-and-pound, but the ref said something was wrong.