On Saturday, the UFC held the final Pay-Per-View of the ESPN era, and its final PPV at least stateside for the next seven years if not more, as UFC 323 took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. With the exception of some non-U.S. markets, Pay-Per-View will be gone once the UFC switches over to Paramount+ in 2026. But there was one last big show to be had on Saturday, with both the bantamweight and flyweight titles on the line.
"That's crazy right? Because before the (Brandon) Royval fight they was like, 'even if you lose, it's okay'. I don't plan on losing. I'm here to take that belt from one of the greatest in our division," Van told reporters on Wednesday. "That's the goal and I stay at that."
It's crazy, I feel like I just found a new motivation in life. I was this close to retiring when I fought Brandon Royval. But after time off with my family, with my loved ones, I found I really love this sport. I really love to throw punches with a fighter in the middle of the Octagon with thousands of people [watching].